Wine Awards & Reviews
“Wine Advocate” Reviews Virginia Wines, Including Six from Muse Vineyards
In its recent issue, the “Robert Parker Wine Advocate” focused on Virginia wines and review Mark Squires was impressed, writing, “Virginia shines ever brighter.” Squires was also enthusiastic about the future of Virginia’s wines, writing, “I like what I see… There are a lot of wines here I’d want to drink. That’s my ultimate test.”
Mr. Squires reviewed six Muse Vineyards wines, each with favorable critiques:
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Chardonnay 2020: “The Chardonnay was aged for 12 months in 15% new French oak. It comes in near bone dry and at 13.3% alcohol. This had full malolactic fermentation. Elegant and understated, this is sensually textured and rather friendly….Beautifully balanced, this is a pleasure to drink today and will exceed expectations.”
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Gamay 2020: “The 2020 Gamay (it also has 25% Cabernet Franc) is unoaked and comes in at 12.7% alcohol. Nicely done, this is obviously fruit forward, but it is textured with a little silk, and it is bright and lively, as well as predictably delicious. …This nod to Beaujolais works great.”
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Cabernet Franc 2017: “The 2017 Cabernet Franc was aged for 28 months in 25% new French oak and comes in at 14.1% alcohol. This should be subtitled “Bring on DaFunk”. I jest, a little, but after tasting a few bland Virginia Cab Francs, this one showed off its Cab Franc personality….Showing fine concentration, this adds a firm and lingering finish. For better or for worse, this high-personality Cab Franc takes no prisoners in flavor, aromatics or structure….It should age very well and continue to improve for a few years.” (Of note, Squires also cited the Muse Cabernet Franc as one of a handful of high-quality Virginia wines that provides value.)
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Clio 2017: “The 2017 Clio is a blend of 40% Cabernet Franc, 38% Petit Verdot, 11% Cabernet Sauvignon, and Malbec and Merlot combined for the rest, all aged 36 months in 90% used French oak….This graceful blend is not at all ponderous, it emphasizes balance and it has much riper tannins….a classic food wine.”
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Petit Verdot 2017: “The 2017 Petit Verdot was aged for 34 months in 95% used French oak and comes in at 14% alcohol. It is beautifully focused and precise. There’s a firm finish with moderate tannins that do not detract from the wine. A perfect food wine.”
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Nebbiolo 2017: “The 2017 Nebbiolo was aged for a heft 37 months in 25% new French oak. [It] shows excellent depth and considerable power.”
“Robert Parker Wine Advocate” is one of the most well-known and respected reviewers of wine in the world. They describe their review process as taking “a very critical look at wine, since we would prefer to underestimate the wine’s quality than to overestimate it.”