Roussanne ’21 Wins Best of Class – San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition 2023

Muse’s Roussanne won Double Gold last year, this year it came back and won Best of Class! This means it was selected over every other Roussanne submitted by wineries from all over North America. Best of Class wines are judged as the best representative of the character, quality and value of the class as well as trends within the wine scene.

The San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition is the largest wine competition in North America. In 2023, over 60 judges gathered to taste and evaluate thousands of wines from around the continent. They selected 195 wines from respective categories, noted as BEST of CLASS Winners. Bob Fraser remarks, “these are the best of the best wines within each category of the competition. I was impressed that these wines represented a diversity of wine regions throughout the United States.  To be selected as a Sweepstake or BOC wine from over 5,500 wines submitted to the San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition is truly an honor for these wineries.”

Muse’s Best of Class Roussanne 2021 is a white grape variety that is aged for one year in new and neutral French oak barrels. It undergoes a partial malolactic fermentation and has notes of peach and apple and a long finish. This wine is great to drink now, but could also be put in the cellar and enjoyed for the next several years.

Their Gold-winning Peitit Verdot 2019 is another excellent Petit Verdot from Muse Vineyards. Every vintage of Petit Verdot from Muse has won numerous gold medals in competitions from California to Virginia. As Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate said when they rated the 2017 Petit Verdot at 90 points,” it is beautifully focused and precise… and is a perfect food wine.” 2019 was another strong growing year in the vineyard and we are confident that this is just the first of many gold medals this wine will win.

Muse also won Silver medals with their Blanc de Blanc, Cabernet Franc 2019, Nebbiolo 2019, and Limited Edition Stainless Steel Aged Roussanne 2021.

Visitors to Muse Vineyards can expect award-winning wines, beautiful views of the Shenandoah Valley, friendly service, and delicious food. Roussanne 2021 and other winners are available for purchase in the tasting room, however, the Limited Edition Roussanne 2021 is exclusive to wine club members.