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A lush blend of our Carneros cool-climate merlot, about 1/3 of the
grapes from nearby Hyde Vineyards, and a lush block of cab franc from
Rutherford hillsides in similar *Forward* series soils. The bottle reads "Rutherford" on the
back label from blending & bottling with our good friends at Alpha
Omega Winery! This is the most new-world Virage yet thanks to a warm
vintage. Heady aromatics preview very rich black fruit and dark
chocolate, laced with signature Virage minerality. A big warming Napa
Valley wine, but
as always, bright acidity on the mouth-watering finish, leaving you
hungry... The very cool growing season of 2010 surprised all of Napa
Valley --even in Carneros --with a couple of severe heat strikes at
season's end, which for us --once we snipped away the raisins!--added
that layer of ripe lushness over the slowly-developed flavors that we
love from cooler-climate growing. An endless finish of fruit-laced
bittersweet chocolate and espresso. 622 cases produced. Best served at
65F. 2020: WOW is this developing character worthy little sister to
the 2007... still huge fresh rich fruit. Plenty time on this one.
- VARIETAL: 56% Cabernet Franc, 42% Merlot, 2% Cabernet Sauvignon
- VINEYARDS: HYDE Vineyards, Carneros and BT, Carneros
- HARVESTED: October 2010
- RELEASED: APRIL 2014
- Alc: 14.8% pH: 3.51 TA: 6.7
- Cooperage: 22 mos in 100% French Oak, 50% New - SYLVAIN, BOSSUET, VICARD, SAURY
- Production: 622 cases
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