Cabernet Franc is rarely used on its own, and almost never as a rose wine, but here Virage takes fresh Cab Franc presses and blends in a touch of red Cab Franc, then lets it chill out in stainless steel for a few months. The results are a pale and inviting pink.

Don’t be afraid of the pink. This is very much a white wine at heart, big in body yet quite crisp and fragrant, and awfully rich with oranges, figs, and lots of distinct grapefruit character. There’s a chalkiness in the finish, that gives the wine a touch of grit on the tongue.

Drink this blind and you’d never know it was a rose.

A- / $24 / viragenapavalley.com

2011 Virage Rose of Cabernet Franc Napa Valley

$24

9

Rating

9.0/10

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