Review: Franciscan Equilibrium and Sauvignon Blanc, 2014 Vintage
It’s still hot enough outside for cold white wine. Here are two new releases from Franciscan worth a look.
2014 Franciscan Equilibrium – A blend of sauvignon blanc (72%), chardonnay (17%), and muscat (11%). If you don’t like that perfume of muscat, don’t bother applying — it shows through clearly even though it’s the lowest proportion of this blend. The rest is baked apples, brown sugar, and white flowers. A bit much at times. Serve well chilled. B / $16
2014 Franciscan Sauvignon Blanc Napa Valley – Crisp, and lightly tropical, this simple sauvignon blanc has overtones of fresh grasses and more of those white flowers. Some honeydew notes emerge on the lightly sweet finish. I’d love to see a bit more acidity, but all told, it’s a solid example of the varietal. B+ / $18