Muse Vineyards, Shenandoah Valley (Virginia) Roussanne 2021

 Roussanne is notoriously difficult to grow and vinify well even in less-than-challenging locales, which Virginia is not among.  Humidity, heat and harvest season hurricanes will give you the idea, and we’re just sticking with “H” words there.  Be that as it may, this is a clear success, with lovely floral aromas offering lots of aromatic appeal but not tipping over the line into a “perfumed” profile like, say, Muscat or Gewurztraminer.  The wine’s flavors are nearly as generous, with notes of ripe peaches and the flavor of wild honey — but without the sweetness.  There’s enough acidity to keep all this delicious opulence in balance, but the balance is right already, so grab this soon and give it a rip.