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| Drinking Windows and Values |
| Community Tasting History |
| Community Tasting Notes (average 90.9 pts. and median of 91 pts. in 72 notes) - hiding notes with no text | | | Tasted by corkscrews on 4/8/2021 & rated 89 points: A nose of dark fruits and spices, dark garnet in color. A medium to full bodied Rhone blend, with blackberry, raspberry, coffee and spice on finish, a bit past peak, drink now. www.winelx.com (2107 views) | | | Tasted by Wine Sparty on 3/14/2021 & rated 91 points: Enjoyed this. Loads of blackberries and blueberries without being overbearing. A touch of earth to go with it. (2036 views) | | | Tasted by gquigs on 2/10/2021 & rated 90 points: Smooth and silky. Red fruit, pepper, some spices. Easy drinking. (2144 views) | | | Tasted by Laz4wine on 1/21/2021 & rated 91 points: Clearly in a peak window showing its CndP heritage - nice blend with floral and minty aromas with a palate of black raspberry and cassis, thyme, anise, and smoky earthiness on a soft if somewhat short finish. Solid value for library selection at $25 via WL's winetext. (2283 views) | | | Tasted by vfccpa123 on 1/12/2021 & rated 90 points: Aroma loaded with fruit along with some herbal notes. Palette picks up spice and cracked pepper immediately with the fruit tagging along well. Medium tannic structure, fairly smoothed out now. Finish is nice, not long. A very nice wine for the price and it is the kind you can drink regularly rather than a special occasion wine. I think it has some life left even if it doesn't get any better, it is good enough to enjoy with dinner. (1374 views) | | | Tasted by OlufunshoBY on 1/12/2021: 2010 Rasa QED red- no decant. Actually impressive nose of perfume, assortment of flowers. Palate is..... not there. Not sure I have a better description. No finish. Tastes diluted. The nose was so good, it actually prepares your palate for something more robust. Thus making the actual palate such a let down. I have to agree with others who have commented on this wine likely passing it’s prime. 6/10 (1499 views) | | | Tasted by Bender Bending Rodriguez on 12/13/2020 & rated 88 points: Honestly a bit underwhelmed. Feels a bit past prime — soft and a bit unstructured, definitely beginning to verge on oxidized as far as flavors and aromas go. This has been impeccably cellared since purchase, but just hasn’t held up. I have another bottle left, so we will see if this was just some bottle variation. (1581 views) | | | Tasted by PDX-S on 10/30/2020: Absolutely singing on day one in terms of being polished. The tannins are resolved, tertiary notes are just beginning and yet the dark fruits are still at the fore.
Big and round with enough acid that days one and two have composure.
Drink now. (1430 views) | | | Tasted by wicho on 10/29/2020 & rated 91 points: Delicious wine, at or just past its peak. I recommend that now is the time to drink it. (1267 views) | | | Tasted by laetulos on 4/28/2020 & rated 91 points: I didn't take a lot of notes on this one, but over two days it was very good, definitely not over the hill, probably peaking. I really like Rasa's blends, they bring a lot of nuance to the wine. (1695 views) | | | Tasted by arthrovine on 3/23/2020: Popped and poured. Riedel Syrah and zalto bord glasses. Wine much better after a few hours of air dissipating macerated grapey plum aromas and flavors. There seemed to be clove and black pepper in the wine that provided interest. Quite good if bought on one of Rasa’s fire sales. (1577 views) | | | Tasted by TallMikeWine on 2/20/2020 & rated 89 points: Everything there, just wish I'd have had this a year, or two, ago. (1282 views) | | | Tasted by RPerro on 1/16/2020 & rated 91 points: In a great place at 10 years old! Black fruit, cracked pepper and notes of roasted beef. Quite smooth and slightly creamy in the mouth, no sharp edges...drinking very well. Drink now - 2025. (1379 views) | | | Tasted by dontime on 12/1/2019: Felt done. Over the hill. No redeeming qualities. And I have another bottle... (1478 views) | | | Tasted by Jake112380 on 8/23/2019 & rated 91 points: Vertical 2007-2011. Strong black fruit and a bit of oak. A bit more garrigue here than in the other years. Silky tannins. Great. (1229 views) | | | Tasted by Bladams13 on 4/1/2018: 4 of 4 wish I had more. This was quite good and better on day two. Well balanced with red and black fruit, baking spices, and an herbal component. (2133 views) | | | Tasted by PDX-S on 1/5/2018: Such fond memories.
Spices, floral notes, dark fruit, and a little coffee aroma waft easily from the glass. The palate echoes the nose, high acid and intense flavors in equal concentration, the tannins are barely perceptible on the tail of the moderately long finish that trails into some mild sweetness.
In a great place, still no real tertiary development. Drink now for a nice primary wine, hold 2+ years for greater development. (955 views) | | | Tasted by Adam T 12 on 10/15/2017 & rated 92 points: In a good place right now, nice mix of vibrant fruit and secondary more rustic notes. Minimal heat. Recommend a decant and would not hesitate to let it rest for another year or two. (2343 views) | | | Tasted by wicho on 7/25/2017 & rated 92 points: Full bodied, luscious fruit, great mouthfeel and just enough acidity to pair with lamb chops. Outstanding! (2421 views) | | | Tasted by curtr on 7/5/2017 & rated 92 points: Big, intense Rhone blend. (2270 views) | | | Tasted by curtr on 4/1/2017 & rated 92 points: Ready to drink, full bodied, nice character, served with Ribeye. (2393 views) | | | Tasted by lirvingham on 2/1/2017 & rated 88 points: Not as good as previous years but perhaps just not yet at its peak. I'd hold off drinking for a year. (2012 views) | | | Tasted by Bladams13 on 12/2/2016 & rated 92 points: Lighter bodied and slightly more acidic than the 07 & 08. I enjoyed all three, this one showed a little hot. (1850 views) | | | Tasted by Radboy on 9/29/2016 & rated 92 points: Great depth deftly balanced with a nice finish. Yum. (2068 views) | | | Tasted by wine247365 on 7/8/2016: Opened 5 hours before drinking and kept cork in the bottle. It is drinking well. Nicely integrated, full-bodied, acidity is present, but in control. Dark umame flavors with noticeable Mourverde at 9%,which adds a brooding element. I bought it during one of their flash sales, so I think it's a great QPR at that price, yet it is still a reasonable one at the CT average price of $42. The CT window shows an end date of 2021, which seems a little long to me. I have one more and will probably drink in '18 or '19. (2289 views) | | | Only displaying the 25 most recent notes - click to see all notes for this wine... |
| By Stephen Tanzer
Vinous, November/December 2013, IWC Issue #171
(Rasa Vineyards QED Red Wine Walla Walla Valley) Subscribe to see review text. | By Sean Sullivan
Washington Wine Report (12/5/2013)
(Rasa Vineyards QED Red Wine Columbia Valley) An aromatic tour de force with blueberry, garrigue, white pepper, crushed violets, smoked meat, chocolate, and earth. The palate shows great elegance and deftness with vivid, crystalline clarity, moving along gracefully to a long, extended finish. Perhaps the best QED yet. 79% Syrah (Les Collines, Seven Hills, Bacchus), 9% Mourvèdre (Monette’s Vineyard, Alder Ridge), 8% Grenache (Monette’s Vineyard), and 4% Viognier (Les Collines). Aged 24 months in French oak (20% new). 14.9% alcohol. 549 cases produced. ***** points |
NOTE: Scores and reviews are the property of Vinous and Washington Wine Report. (manage subscription channels) |
| Rasa Vineyards Producer website
Red Rhone Blend Read about the different grapes used to produce red and white Rhone wines
On CellarTracker, Red Rhone Blend is the term for a wine consisting of two or more of the traditional 13 Southern Rhone grape varieties. Typically it's the Grenache, Syrah, Mourvedre or Cinsault grapes, but can also contain the Muscardin, Counoise, Clairette, Bourboulenc, Picpoul, Roussanne, Terret Noir, Picardan or Vaccarese grapes.
A 'food' wine. Lacking pretension and intended for local consumption with local cuisine. Lacks the 'high' notes on a Bordeaux, more earthy and sharper so often a better partner to meat dishes with a sauce. USAAmerican 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.Walla Walla ValleyThe name translates as easily as it rolls off the tongue: Walla Walla. Many Waters. To the earliest Native tribes, the many waters came from the nearby Blue Mountains and gathered to form the Walla Walla River on its way to join the Columbia to the west. The waters flowed first; however, into a fair-sized Valley carved in the mountain's foothills, and bordered in part by the terrain of what is known as the Columbia Plateau. Tribal members knew the Valley's generally milder climate could maintain their people in winter villages. There were lush wild grasses which could sustain horses and attract game from the winter snows of the nearby Blues, or from the giant high plateau that becomes desolate and dangerous during the cold season. The rolling terrain and numerous watersheds offered protection from nature and other hazards of the day. Here the water was plentiful and full of fish and seldom froze, even in the coldest years. The meadows were wonderful places to gather with other people to trade, compete and celebrate treaties. Compared to the region around them, the Walla Walla Valley was a safe refuge from the treacherous conditions which can often be found during the winter for hundreds of miles around. In this unique growing region, most of the earliest records of grapes and winemaking reference the Italians who had immigrated here in the mid to late 1800's and who brought with them their tradition of growing, making and drinking wine. Vines with these origins still exist in the Valley today. The first post-prohibition winery was Blue Mountain Vineyards. It was bonded in 1950 by the Pesciallo family where they produced Black Prince and other Italian varietal wines for a period of several years before succumbing to economics and climate. To the wine world of today, Walla Walla has become know for the quality and style of its red wines, especially Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot with Syrah gaining notoriety in recent years. In the1970's, the pioneers of today's wine community began to think similar thoughts: that the Walla Walla Valley, with its long history of fruit growing, moderate climate, wine-making heritage, and interesting terrain might just be a place to grow vines and make wine on a commercial scale. These pioneers of the region applied for and received approval of the Walla Walla Valley as a unique American Viticultural Area (AVA) in 1984. It was the third in Washington State and also includes a portion of land in Oregon. In the time leading to the recognition of the appellation, four wineries had been bonded starting with Leonetti Cellar, and shortly thereafter, Woodward Canyon. L'Ecole Nº 41 and Waterbrook soon followed. In addition to the smaller vineyards that were being planted, the Valley's first large-scale, commercial vineyard Seven Hills was established. By the time the BATF recognized the Walla Walla Valley AVA, the Valley was beginning to gain attention from within the wine industry, as well as attracting publicity from journalists and media outside the region. The foundation for today’s industry had been laid and the benchmark for quality had been set. In addition, fruit from the area was now being harvested and a baseline for understanding the local growing conditions was being constructed. Every few years another winery would join the fold and take up the challenge of producing the highest quality wine and the growing of outstanding fruit. Seven Hills Winery and Patrick M. Paul each got their start during this time. More vines were added, although acreage increases were small each year. The industry was small and everyone knew everyone else involved, while the welcome mat remained out for any newcomers. Growers and winemakers alike regularly shared time in the cellar or at the table and together learned more about wines and vines. By 1990 there were just six wineries and the Valley's grape acreage stood at perhaps 100 acres. The total collective production of wine was microscopic by any measure, but it was the quality that was being noticed by many inside and outside the trade. As the tiny trickle of wine produced in the Walla Walla AVA began to flow to the outside world, a "wine renaissance" was beginning to happen globally. The Pacific Northwest had staked a claim in this new wine world and as people learned about the region, they also began to hear about Walla Walla. This interest spread rapidly to those with Walla Walla connections. The early 1990s saw the planting of more vines and the establishment of another large-scale vineyard, Pepper Bridge. At the same time, a group of local investors, working closely with the Napa based Chalone Wine group, laid the foundation for Canoe Ridge Vineyard, the Valley's first winery supported in part by a major outside investor. As the industry has grown, many new wineries have gotten their start in the arms of an established winery. Waterbrook Winery's modern production facility started the trend, sharing space, equipment, and any help needed. Other wineries also adopted “extra guests,” a practice that has helped form close, personal relationships throughout the local industry. By the turn of the new century, the Walla Walla Valley wine industry had 22 wineries and 800 acres of grapes. In the year 2000 the AVA had been expanded back to the original boundaries proposed in the1984 application. The year 2000 also saw the formation of the Walla Walla Valley Wine Alliance with 100% of the Valley's wineries and 98% of the Valley's planted acreage represented. Today, more than 60 Walla Walla Valley wineries and more than 1,200 acres of Walla Walla Valley grapes contribute to the ever growing, international acclaim garnered by the wines of this newly-emerging region of Washington State. |
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