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Proving once again all wines of one vintage should not be painted with a critic's broad brush....
Concentrated fruit, depth and character in 13.6% alcohol! Dripping with rich cassis laced with signature Virage minerality, like crushed wet stones.
Most collectors know the 2011 growing season was especially cool for Napa Valley. But hey, it's always cooler in Carneros. A little winegrowing lesson to understand this vintage: ripening in these hillsides above the San Pablo Bay is a temperate Maritime idea vs the hot days and cool nights of Meditteranean climate further upvalley (inland Napa Valley). Our take is that too-hot days shut down development in sensitive Cabernet Franc, causing that unhappy outcome of high sugar yet hard green tannins. Sadly, this is what many associate with Cabernet Franc. For too long, those characteristics from Cab Franc dutifully planted alongside Cabernet Sauvignon gave California Franc the "lean little sister" or "lean and green" rap.
Genetically, Cabernet Franc is the original Cabernet, the ancient mother of Cabernet Sauvignon, not the skinny sister. It's more sensitive to growing conditions. In the right spot, fully ripened aromatics, flavors and tannins yield a phenomenally rich, smooth, wine. There's no lack of body in Cheval Blanc! Back to 2011 in Napa Valley: Upvalley/inland growers of Cabernet Sauvignon need their warm days, after those always-cool nights. And Cabernet Sauvignon, the hardy cross of Cabernet Franc and Sauvignon Blanc, can take the heat.
Critics panning the 2011 vintage for lack of heat upvalley minimize the real story of Napa Valley, which is a story of DIVERSITY in growing conditions. We're divided into so many appellations for a reason. In 2011, in the temperate Carneros foothills, this Merlot and Cab Franc had enough sun and warmth for an absolutely delicious wine.
This blend is too easy to drink right out of the bottle with no decant needed, but still gains complexity and depth with exposure as all Virage wines, built for long aging.
2022 notes: Minerality and succulent pomegranate are swirling out of the glass within a few minutes. Really solid balance and rich mouthfeel, lovely succulent sour cherry in the lengthy finish. The texture/density of this wine earned some nice scores. Yum! Soft cheese and prosciutto please!
92 by WINE & SPIRITS Magazine!! Beautiful review by Wine Enthusiast - see our *PRESS* page. SF Chronicle Silver Medal. And a Wine & Spirits YEARS' BEST! We just think Joshua Greene has great taste. 481 cases produced.
- VARIETAL: Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon
- VINEYARDS: BT Vineyards, Carneros and Soda Cyn Vineyards, Atlas Peak + Greeg Estate Cabernet Sauvignon
- HARVESTED: October 2011
- RELEASED: April 2015
- pH: 3.65, TA: 5.8, Alc: 13.6%
- COOPERAGE; 100% French Oak, 40% New
- PRODUCTION: 481 cases
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