Skip to content
Checkout
Certified California Sustainable Vineyard & Winery
  • Wines
    • Shop All Wines
    • Our Wine Collections
      • Shop by Collection
        • Artisan Collection
        • Icon Collection
        • Reserve Collection
        • Classic Collection
    • Shop by Varietal
      • Zinfandel
      • Cabernet Sauvignon
      • Merlot
      • Pinot Noir
      • Other Reds
      • Port
        • The Ruby Allocation
      • White Wines
    • 90+ Point Wines
    • Large Formats
    • Wine Club Exclusives
    • Tasting Notes
    • Pairing Recipes
    • Save’N Sip Subscriptions
  • Gifts
    • Gift Sets & More
    • Etched Bottles
    • eGift Cards
  • Experiences
    • Plan a Visit
    • Wine & Food Pairings
      • Seasonal Menu
      • Reservations
    • New Wine Experience ‘Secrets of Sonoma’
    • Trolley Tours
    • Tasting Flights
    • Member Tastings
    • Group Tastings
    • Visitation Guidelines
  • Wine Club
    • Memberships
    • Club Schedule
    • Wine Club Support
      • Account Assistance
        • How to Customize a Club Release
      • FAQ
    • Referral Program
    • Member Portal
      • Member Tastings
      • Club Release
        • Pick-up Reservations
      • Shop Club Exclusives
      • Benefits
        • Explore All Benefits
        • Entertainment & Lodging
  • Events
    • Upcoming Events
    • Private Events
    • Weddings
    • Virtual Tour
    • Blessing of the Animals
  • Our Story
    • Contact
    • Giving Back
      • Canine Companions®
      • Joe Martin Day of Service
    • Our Wines
      • Technical Info
      • Accolades
      • Pairing Recipes
    • Wine Journal
    • Our Team
    • Estate Vineyards
    • Trade
      • Trade Wines
      • Trade Tools & Assets
      • Find Retailer
      • Importers
      • Wholesale Contact
    • Sustainability
    • Career Opportunities
BACK
  • 2018

Claret

Claret, Sonoma County

Tasting Notes

We use only classic Bordeaux varietals for our own version of a British-inspired Claret, an elegant, medium-bodied red blend. Merlot, Malbec, and Cabernet Sauvignon contribute generous aromas and deep notes of plum, dried cranberry, and cherry compote with hints of fennel and clove. The palate opens up with bright notes of cassis, along with date and plum, and then reveals mouth-watering acidity for an enticing finish.

Vintage Notes

A fairly mild spring and summer with few heat spikes allowed our 2018 harvest to begin right after Labor Day, later than previous years. The consistent growing season and cooler temperatures allowed for slow ripening and deep flavor development resulting in exceptional quality fruit with remarkable balance and brightness.

Vineyard Notes

The grapes that go into our Sonoma County Claret are from our Certified Sustainable Estate Vineyards and top growers in Sonoma County, a prime region for nurturing Bordeaux varieties such as Merlot, Malbec, and Cabernet Sauvignon. These grapes thrive in our temperate Sonoma weather and rocky soils, each contributing distinctive and individual qualities to the final blend.

Winemaker Notes

All grapes are gently de-stemmed before cold-soaking for two days to extract optimal color and flavor. The fruit is fermented in separate lots, allowing each lot to be individually and distinctly crafted before being aged in French oak barrels, 10% new. The wines are aged 16 months in barrel before final blending and bottling.

Claret, Sonoma County
Web Store
WINEMAKER

Chris Louton

COLLECTION

Classic Collection

GRAPE VARIETIES
50% Merlot
31% Malbec
19% Cabernet Sauvignon
ALCOHOL
14.5 %
CASES PRODUCED
3200
AGING
16 Months
Bottling Date
May 2020
Barrel
French Oak, 10% New

Related Products, Recipes & Trade Tools

Claret, Sonoma County

2017 Claret, Sonoma County

Claret, Sonoma County

2014 Claret, Sonoma County

Accolades

90 Points | Wine Enthusiasts | May 2017

Claret, Sonoma County

2015 Claret, Sonoma County

Accolades

Gold Medal | SF Chronicle Wine Competition | January 2018

Claret, Sonoma County

2016 Claret, Sonoma County

CALL or TEXT

(707) 833-0254

Subscribe to News & Offers

Marketing communications may be in the form of email, text message or phone.

READ PRIVACY POLICY

  • Trade
  • Accolades
  • Find Retailer
  • Careers
  • Contact
  • Accessibility
100 Pythian Road at Hwy. 12 Santa Rosa, CA 95409
+1 (707) 833-0242
Open Daily | 10 AM – 5 PM | Holiday Hours
© 2025 St. Francis Winery & Vineyards. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy