Vinous

• By Stephen Tanzer
  Focus on Washington: Hot Times in the Desert (Nov 2016), 11/1/2016 (link)

  (Rasa Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon Plus On Kiona Vineyard Washington) Subscribe to see review text.

Full Pull

• By Paul Zitarelli
  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 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.