Drink (and think) like a somm
Michael Shaps
Roussanne
Virginia
Monticello
Roussanne 100%
Green apple, Stone fruit, Citrus, Almonds
12 Months
Stainless Steel
100%
ABOUT
Michael Shaps 2022 Roussanne
Roussanne is a grape variety originally from the Northern Rhone in France where it grows along side its more famous cousin Viognier. Unlike Viognier however, Roussanne typically displays much higher acidity and minerality, and is more fruit forward in general. It also has a much leaner mouth feel, especially when fermented and matured in stainless steel.
Our 2022 Roussanne displays this perfectly with notes of green apple, stone fruit, and citrus as well as some dried herbs on the finish. There is a bit of weight in the palate, but it is well balanced by the elevated acidity to keep the wine feeling light. This bottle is ready to drink now, but could age about 3-5 years with proper storage conditions.
PAIRINGS
IN A PINCH
Shellfish, pâte.
DEEPER DIVE
Roussanne in its youth is acidic, bright, and full of fruit flavors like citrus and peach. Its body is balanced well by a somewhat rich, oily texture that does just enough to rein in the elevated acidity.
You’ll want to stick to the lighter end of the pairing spectrum here with dishes like roast chicken, lean pork, and most seafood.
Shellfish is especially great here since this wine has the acidity and body to match it. It will also be hard to find a bad cheese pairing, but soft creamy cheeses will work especially well.
STANDOUT FEATURES: Citrus notes, oily texture, bright acidity.
PAIRING SCALE
STEER CLEAR
Anything too fatty or a rich sauce will likely overpower this wine.
CHEESE OPTIONS
Brie
Brie
Country: France
Animal: Cow
Type: Soft
Texture: Creamy
Style: Full-bodied, rich, buttery.
Taleggio
Taleggio
Country: Italy
Animal: Cow
Type: Soft
Texture: Creamy
Style: Mild, sweet, aromatic
Chèvre
Chèvre
Country: France
Animal: Goat
Type: Soft
Texture: Creamy, crumbly
Style: Acidic, salty, tangy
RECIPE IDEAS
SERVICE
WHICH GLASSES?
All-purpose or white wine glasses would be best.
BORDEAUX
BURGUNDY
FLUTE
COUPE
ALL-PURPOSE
WHITE
DESSERT
SHOULD I DECANT THIS?
WHY “Nope”?
This is a wine designed to be enjoyed young and fresh. Its flavors need no help jumping out of the glass, so save the decanter clean up for now.
SERVING TEMP
The correct serving temperature is important to show a wine’s true potential, but don’t stress over getting the temp exactly right. Use the chart below to try to get in the right ballpark.
AGING
WHEN SHOULD I OPEN THIS?
If a wine has been released by the producer, it means it is ready to drink. Wines don’t necessarily get “better” with age, they just change. Typically, this change involves things like losing fresh fruit flavors in exchange for more savory notes.
The moment you should open the bottle depends on your preference, so it’s more important to understand the evolution and the life span of the bottle than it is to try to time its opening perfectly. (It’s far better to open a bottle too early than too late.)
This bottle should probably be opened between:
2025 – 2027
Development
NERD STUFF
TECHNICAL NOTES
Brix at Harvest: 22
pH: 3.35
TA: 7.2 grams/L
Alc: 12.1%
RS: 0.04%
Bottled: July 26, 2023
Cases Produced: 199
VINEYARD NOTES
The fruit sourced for the 2022 Roussanne was completely from the Honah Lee vineyard in Gordonsville, VA. The vineyard rests 1000 ft above sea level, and is southeast facing to soak up as much sun as possible. The majority of the soil make up is Davidson Clay, which is well draining and perfect for some of these Northern Rhone varieties like Roussanne and Viognier.
WINEMAKING NOTES
All of the fruit for this wine was hand harvested and brought to the winery to undergo a cooling period before being pressed. There was a 12-hour cold soak prior to crushing to increase the aromatics and mouth feel. All of the fruit fermented and matured in stainless steel tanks to preserve freshness and bright fruit flavors.
PRODUCER
ABOUT US
Founded in 2007, Michael Shaps Wineworks is located in the former Montdomaine Winery, twelve miles south of Charlottesville, Virginia. The original concept was to use the facility for production of the existing Michael Shaps brand of wines, and to produce a second brand called Wineworks, a more value-oriented line of Virginia wines.
Within the first year the opportunity arose to develop Virginia’s first contract winemaking operation–more commonly known as custom crush–to make wine for independent growers who want their own brand. Found in many wine regions around the world, this previously untapped market became a focus for Wineworks.
Between 2008-2014 the customer base grew to over twenty contract winemaking clients and the facility grew in size and capacity, requiring two expansions. Wineworks quickly became a regional leader for contract winemaking, serving clients from Tennessee to Delaware.
Michael ShapsWhen Michael’s founding partner left in 2014, he brought in investors to expand the winery facility to increase production capacity to 30,000 cases of wine and changed the name from Virginia Wineworks to Michael Shaps Wineworks. In 2015 the processing volume reached 430 tons (approximately 28,000 cases) and the 2017 harvest brought in over 500 tons.
OUR VINEYARDS
Our Vineyard sites have been chosen and cultivated with care, thinking about the current vintages as well as future vintages. We believe that great wines start in the field, without great fruit, we cannot achieve great wine.
HONAH LEE
Located in Gordonsville, VA, Honah Lee Vineyard is our primary vineyard site.
WILD MEADOW
Wild Meadow Vineyard has been highly acclaimed as one of the best chardonnay sites in the state.
MICHAEL SHAPS ESTATE
Michael Shaps Estate Vineyard
The Harris Creek Road property has been planted to vineyard since the early 1990s.
Interested in joining our wine club?
Membership Benefits:
- 4 shipments per year: February, May, September, December
- 30% discount on all Wine Club shipments
- 20% discount on all other wine bottle purchases–both online and in tasting rooms
- Complimentary wine tastings for two (limit 2 per membership) at the winery of either Virginia or Burgundy wines, depending on your club each time you visit the winery
- 20% off wine flights at Wineworks Extended each time you visit
- Discounted tickets to many special events
- Access to pre-release & “library” wines not available to the public
- Tickets for two (limit 2 per membership) to the quarterly Wine Club Pickup parties, held in February, May, September, December
