Michael Shaps
Monticello Petit Manseng
Monticello, Central Region, Virginia, USA
Intrigued by this variety in Virginia, but beyond its rusticity, the challenge is: how to tame the searing acidity without making a high-alcohol or off-dry wine. Maybe best-suited as a blending variety? Picking up a bit of tannin (skin and/or oak?) on this ripe, weighty, yet racy, somewhat schizophrenic wine
Intrigued by this variety in Virginia, but beyond its rusticity, the challenge is: how to tame the searing acidity without making a high-alcohol or off-dry wine. Maybe best-suited as a blending variety? Picking up a bit of tannin (skin and/or oak?) on this ripe, weighty, yet racy, somewhat schizophrenic wine
1 person found it helpfulJun 12th, 2017Love this one from Michael Schaps. Virginia does Petit Manseng so well.
Love this one from Michael Schaps. Virginia does Petit Manseng so well.
1 person found it helpfulNov 11th, 2015Best dry Petit Manseng in Virginia.
Best dry Petit Manseng in Virginia.
1 person found it helpfulJan 9th, 2015
Pairing w/ Bill Smith's pork shank at Southern Foodways Alliance symposium
Great wine form my favorite producer in VA
Pairing w/ Bill Smith's pork shank at Southern Foodways Alliance symposium
Great wine form my favorite producer in VA
Quite interesting. My only experience with Petit Manseng from Virginia had been with much sweeter ones. Another surprise was the golden color not past its peak. 2018 vintage drunk June 20 25, $30. 
Quite interesting. My only experience with Petit Manseng from Virginia had been with much sweeter ones. Another surprise was the golden color not past its peak. 2018 vintage drunk June 20 25, $30. 
Jun 25th, 2025
What a surprise. Blinded, no one could get close. Lovely wine, pear aromas, balanced, ripe. Fun stuff @Geoff Franz
What a surprise. Blinded, no one could get close. Lovely wine, pear aromas, balanced, ripe. Fun stuff @Geoff Franz
Nov 27th, 2022
Deep gold with an enticing bouquet of green and golden apples, apricot, and subtle notes of grilled pineapple, oaky notes of cedar and charred brûlée, and some bottle age with hints of petrol and grilled meat fat drippings. Mouthfeel is rich and viscous with a palate of more green fruit of green and golden apples, notes of apricot, and hints of vanilla oakiness with a nicely lingering medium length finish. Drank it with Thanksgiving dinner; didn't eat the turkey but it went well with all the sides; even did fine with dessert. I'm confident it would pair well with the meat, too.
Deep gold with an enticing bouquet of green and golden apples, apricot, and subtle notes of grilled pineapple, oaky notes of cedar and charred brûlée, and some bottle age with hints of petrol and grilled meat fat drippings. Mouthfeel is rich and viscous with a palate of more green fruit of green and golden apples, notes of apricot, and hints of vanilla oakiness with a nicely lingering medium length finish. Drank it with Thanksgiving dinner; didn't eat the turkey but it went well with all the sides; even did fine with dessert. I'm confident it would pair well with the meat, too.
Nov 30th, 2021Beautiful aromatic nose with a nice blend of oak and green apple
Beautiful aromatic nose with a nice blend of oak and green apple
Apr 26th, 2020
Both smoky and fruity. A great food wine
Both smoky and fruity. A great food wine
Dec 26th, 2019
Rich, extraordinarily balanced, creamy yet aromatic.
Rich, extraordinarily balanced, creamy yet aromatic.
Sep 11th, 2018