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| Community Tasting Notes (average 92 pts. and median of 92 pts. in 3 notes) - hiding notes with no text | | Tasted by AAW_RightWine on 3/20/2021 & rated 91 points: Drinking well, should hold for another 2 years ... decanted 2 hours (639 views) | | Tasted by krhaugh on 1/3/2021 & rated 92 points: Decanted approx. 2 hours. Beautiful cab. Full of aromas and flavors. Wonderful (647 views) |
| By Stephen Tanzer Vinous, Focus on Washington: Hot Times in the Desert (Nov 2016) (11/1/2016) (Rasa Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon Plus On Kiona Vineyard Washington) Subscribe to see review text. | By Paul Zitarelli Full Pull, Full Pull Library Rasa (10/26/2018) (Rasa Vineyards Plus One Cabernet Sauvignon Kiona Vineyard) Hello friends. Today we have a library release from culty-as-ever Rasa Vineyards and winemaker (and recently awarded Master of Wine) Billo Naravane. Rasa is one of these wineries that started up right around the same time that Full Pull did: sometime towards the end of the last decade, right into the teeth of the recession. Brutal. This was an exceedingly difficult time to start a winery, but what it means for the crop of wineries launched in the late aughts is that if they’ve survived this long, they’re probably making some pretty damned good wines. And Billo has done more than survive: he has thrived, landing multiple consulting winemaking gigs in addition to his work for Rasa. Echo Ridge, Mackey, Delmas: all thought Billo was the right person to realize their vision. And while it is always fun to see what Billo does with other projects, we’ve always found it deeply exciting to experience his wines from the mothership, Rasa. Because our list has grown up alongside Billo and team, and we’ve all been enthusiastic supporters from the beginning, we all get the opportunity to access this special bottling. While the library offering is the main thrust today, but we do have two bonus reoffers below.Originally offered February 2017. Excerpts from the original: Plus One has traditionally been Rasa’s only straight Cabernet Sauvignon, coming entirely from Kiona Vineyard. Planted in 1975, it sits in the heart of Red Mountain. While it may not have quite the name recognition of Ciel du Cheval and Klipsun, its Cabernet fruit (especially the original vines that make up the backbone of this wine) is just as prized by Washington winemakers and insiders. This vintage got a six-day cold soak prior to fermentation, and was then raised in 60% new French oak. It clocks in at 14.9% listed alc.. I love how this vintage begins all supple and silky, then has building tannins that fan out across the palate, offering a wonderful toothsome finish. This couldn’t be confused for anything other than classy Cabernet. Wine Advocate: Copyrighted material withheld. | By Paul Zitarelli Full Pull, Full Pull Rasa (2/8/2017) (Rasa Vineyards Plus One Cabernet Sauvignon Kiona Vineyard) Hello friends. Today we have the new vintage of a trio of list favorites: the outstanding Bordeaux blends and varietal wines from Billo Naravane of Rasa Vineyards. Rasa is one of these wineries that started up right around the same time that Full Pull did: sometime towards the end of the last decade, right into the teeth of the recession. Brutal. You make plans during an economic expansion, purchase vineyards, purchase grapes, purchase equipment, and then by the time you get to launch, the economy has turned 180 degrees. This was an exceedingly difficult time to start a winery, but what it means for the crop of wineries launched in the late aughts is that if they’ve survived this long, they’re probably making some pretty damned good wines. And Billo has done more than survive: he has thrived, landing multiple consulting winemaking gigs in addition to his work for Rasa. Echo Ridge, Mackey, Delmas: all thought Billo was the right person to realize their vision. And while it is always fun to see what Billo does with other projects, it is also deeply exciting to experience his wines from the mothership, Rasa. Originally offered February 2017. Excerpts from the original: Plus One has traditionally been Rasa’s only straight Cabernet Sauvignon, coming entirely from Kiona Vineyard. Planted in 1975, it sits in the heart of Red Mountain. While it may not have quite the name recognition of Ciel du Cheval and Klipsun, its Cabernet fruit (especially the original vines that make up the backbone of this wine) is just as prized by Washington winemakers and insiders. This vintage got a six-day cold soak prior to fermentation, and was then raised in 60% new French oak. It clocks in at 14.9% listed alc.. I love how this vintage begins all supple and silky, then has building tannins that fan out across the palate, offering a wonderful toothsome finish. This couldn’t be confused for anything other than classy Cabernet. Wine Advocate: Copyrighted material withheld. | NOTE: Scores and reviews are the property of Vinous and Full Pull. (manage subscription channels) |
| Rasa Vineyards Producer website
Cabernet SauvignonCabernet Sauvignon is probably the most famous red wine grape variety on Earth. It is rivaled in this regard only by its Bordeaux stablemate Merlot, and its opposite number in Burgundy, Pinot Noir. From its origins in Bordeaux, Cabernet has successfully spread to almost every winegrowing country in the world. It is now the key grape variety in many first-rate New World wine regions, most notably Napa Valley, Coonawarra and Maipo Valley. Wherever they come from, Cabernet Sauvignon wines always seem to demonstrate a handful of common character traits: deep color, good tannin structure, moderate acidity and aromas of blackcurrant, tomato leaf, dark spices and cedarwood.
Used as frequently in blends as in varietal wines, Cabernet Sauvignon has a large number of common blending partners. Apart from the obvious Merlot and Cabernet Franc, the most prevalent of these are Malbec, Petit Verdot and Carmenere (the ingredients of a classic Bordeaux Blend), Shiraz (in Australia's favorite blend) and in Spain and South America, a Cabernet – Tempranillo blend is now commonplace. Even the bold Tannat-based wines of Madiran are now generally softened with Cabernet SauvignonUSAAmerican wine has been produced since the 1500s, with the first widespread production beginning in New Mexico in 1628. Today, wine production is undertaken in all fifty states, with California producing 84% of all U.S. wine. The continent of North America is home to several native species of grape, including Vitis labrusca, Vitis riparia, Vitis rotundifolia, and Vitis vulpina, but the wine-making industry is based almost entirely on the cultivation of the European Vitis vinifera, which was introduced by European settlers. With more than 1,100,000 acres (4,500 km2) under vine, the United States is the fourth-largest wine producing country in the world, after Italy, Spain, and France.Washington Washington Wine Commission | Credit to Washingtonwine.org for this article
Washington Wine Washington State is a premium wine producing region located in the northwest corner of the United States. Although a relatively young wine industry, it is now the nation's second largest wine producer and is ranked among the world's top wine regions. Washington wines are found nationally in all 50 states and internationally in more than 40 countries.
Wineries With 30,000+ acres planted, the state has ideal geography and conditions for growing premium vinifera wine grapes. Primarily grown on their own root stocks, the vines produce grapes of consistent quality, resulting in strong vintages year after year. While its focus is on Chardonnay, Riesling, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah, the region also produces a wide range of other spectacular whites and reds.
Growers Winemakers from all over the world have chosen to establish themselves in Washington, where they can create wines reflecting this region's unique characteristics. Their hand-crafted wines are receiving wide acclaim from critics regionally, nationally and internationally for their consistently high quality. Many of them have received scores of 90 and above from the major wine media. Overall this is a higher percentage than other leading wine regions.
Regions As the state's fourth largest fruit crop, the Washington wine industry is an important contributor to the long-term preservation of Washington agriculture. The industry is committed to sustainable agricultural practices and conservation of water resources. Washington State is a premium wine producing region located in the northwest corner of the United States. Although a relatively young wine industry, it is now the nation's second largest wine producer and is ranked among the world's top wine regions. Washington wines are found nationally in all 50 states and internationally in more than 40 countries.
Varieties Washington produces more than 20 wine grape varieties - a ratio of 56 percent white to 44 percent red. As the industry matures and experiments, it finds many grape varieties that thrive throughout Washington's microclimates. There are more than 16,000 vineyard acres of red wine varieties statewide.
History & Vintages Washington's wine future is limitless. As consumers discover the quality of Washington wines, demand continues to grow nationally and internationally. New acreage and wine varietals are being planted and new wineries are opening at a remarkable pace. Washington State is recognized as a premium viticultural region around the world.
State Facts Washington's wine industry generates more than $3 billion to the state economy. It employs more than 14,000 people, directly and indirectly, with projections to add nearly 2,000 more jobs by 2006. In terms of tax revenues accrued to the state and federal government, wine grapes are among the highest tax generators of any agricultural crops. Furthermore, Washington wine tourism attracts nearly two million visitors annually contributing to the positive growth of local and regional economies. Washington State - the perfect climate for wine = ideal growing conditions, quality wines, business innovation, lifestyle, and social responsibility. All are key elements of this world-class wine industry.
Vintages "2008 and even more so 2010 and 2011 were cool, even cold vintages (think: 2002 in the Barossa) without the extreme ripeness, extract and higher alcohol that had become the norm in the state’s post 1995 world. 2008 was manageable but the duo of 2010/2011 nearly caused a “great depression” in Washington State." - Jon RimmermanColumbia Valley Columbia Cascade Winery Association
The Columbia Valley AVA lies mostly in Washington state, with a small section in Oregon. The Cascade Range forms its western boundary with the Palouse regions bordering the area to the east. To the north, the Okanogan National Forest forms a border with the AVA and Canada. It encompasses the valleys formed by the Columbia River and its tributaries, including the Walla Walla River, the Snake River, and the Yakima River. The Columbia valley stretches between the 46th parallel and 47th parallel which puts it in line with the well known French wine growing regions of Bordeaux and Burgundy. The northern latitude gives the areas two more hours of additional daylight during the summer growing season than wine regions of California receive. The volcanic and sandy loam soil of the valley offers good drainage and is poor in nutrients, ideal in forcing the vine to concentrate its resources into the grape clusters.Red Mountain WinesNW Article on Red Mountain
Wine Enthusiast Article on Red Mountain
The Seattle Times Article on Red Mountain |
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