Michael Shaps, Monticello (Virginia) Roussanne 2019

 I have been a huge fan of Michael Shaps Viognier and was eager to try his Virginia Roussanne.  The nose shows melons, white blossoms, and fresh apricots.  The body adds a lightly vanillin and clove spiciness to round out the fruity and floral notes. Roussanne might be an odd choice for Virginia’s relatively humid growing conditions.  The grape is highly susceptible to powdery mildew and rot, and originates from the comparatively dry, well-exposed Rhône Valley.  Despite its finicky nature in both vineyards and cellars, Roussanne’s popularity in the U.S. is growing with increased plantings in California, Washington, and Oregon.  This is a somewhat nerdy wine that nevertheless is a fan favorite with both my wine industry and non-industry friends.