MUSE VINEYARDS: Thalia 2015

Shenandoah Valley, Virginia

90 Points | “Highly Recommended”

A blend of Marsanne (50%), Roussanne (40%), and Viognier (10%), the 2015 Thalia is aromatically complex and fresh on the palate, with velvety viscosity and quenching acidity. Aromas of apricot nectar, roasted hazelnut, and florals transition to flavors of baked pear, brioche, and fresh tarragon — all layered with impressions of orange peel and butterscotch over a honeyed finish. It is dry and medium-bodied with a creamy texture — thanks to full malolactic (secondary) fermentation in new and neutral French oak barrels. It is a Virginia-grown Rhone varietal blend that holds its own against like-priced counterparts from France and California. A refreshing and food-friendly white to drink now and over the next several years.

Recommended Food Pairings: Fresh seafood; roasted poultry; cream-based dishes; Asian cuisine; Indian curries; fall and winter squash dishes; fruit tarts.

12.6% ABV | 222 Cases Produced | $24

To read our original introduction to Muse Vineyards, click on the link: “Raising the Bar for Winemaking in Virginia’s Shenandoah Valley.”

For more information on Muse Vineyards 2015 Thalia and its availability, visit them virtually at www.musevineyards.com.