Barrel Tasting at Rasa Vineyards

On March 9th, I met with Billo Naravane of Rasa Vineyards at the Artifex facility in Walla Walla where his and his brother Pinto's wines are made (see the January issue of the Review of Washington Wines). First, we tasted some 2009's from the barrels. (Here, pluses indicate the potential for the wines' scores to go higher as they develop.)

2009 Syrah, Walla Walla Valley, Les Collines Vineyard

Co-fermented with 3% Viognier, this had just finished malolactic fermentation, but was already showing exciting aromatics (berries, pepper, violets) and well-packed dark fruit flavors. 18.5+/20 points.

2009 Syrah, Yakima Valley, Bacchus Vineyard

This showed an inky color and black cherry and black currant aromas with the blackness persisting on the palate with a deep penetration. Strikingly rich and thick, yet focused. 19+/20 points.

2009 Cabernet Franc, Wahluke Slope, Weinbau Vineyard

With this, I picked up smoky berry aromas with exotic scents. The flavors were deep and focused with plenty of extract and a persistence from beginning to end. 18.5+/20 points.

2008 QED Syrah, Walla Walla Valley

Tasted from the tank, this Syrah was sensational. With barrel aging, it had accumulated intense berry, incense, crushed rose and lavender aromas, with deep, saturated flavors that encompassed the palate, Underlain with plenty of licorice, chocolate, vanilla bean and loamy, earth, it is sure to be a compelling wine. See the January issue of the Review for the previous tasting of this wine.  19+/20 points.

Then we tasted two 2008's that had recently been bottled.

2008 "Vox Populi" Mourvedre, Yakima Valley, Minick Vineyard ($36 before May release - direct orders only, not on website)

This was originally intended to be blended with the QED, but turned out to be so compelling that it had to be bottled on its own. It is an exotic, aromatic wine with a rich, chewy character that floats into a gorgeous back palate and finish. Watch for the April issue of the Review for a detailed review. 19/20 points.

2008 Red Blend, Yakima Valley, Du Brul Vineyard (Release December)

I tasted the DuBrul Cabernet Sauvignon in December and found it highly impressive. Since then the brothers decided to blend it with one-third DuBrul Merlot, making it an even more stunning wine. It shows an exotic character that is unusual for a "Bordeaux" blend, and is loaded with an array of complex aromas and flavors. Read more about it in the April issue. 19.5+/20 points.

After we tasted the above wines, Billo then took me back to the barrel room to taste some wines from the MacKey Vineyard for which he is a consulting winemaker. They were very promising wines.

2008 MacKey Vineyard Syrah, Walla Walla Valley

From a cool climate site on the south fork of the Walla Walla Rver, this was a North Rhone Syrah look-alike. Wild berry aromas, and brooding character, expressing the essence of the Syrah grape. 18.5+/20 points.

2009 MacKey Vineyard Riesling, Yakima Valley Dionysus Vineyard

This came on as being more integrated than most Washington Rieslings. The typical, apple, peach and grapefruit aromas were evident, along with wet stone minerals and spices. The fruit-acid-sugar balance was near perfect. 18.5+/20 points.