Rasa Vineyards Red Blend QED “Choice Function”
WHY WE LOVE IT
- The QED “Choice Function” Cab Franc vineyard is in the Columbia Valley.
- On the palate the texture is rich and supple, framed with lively acidity, and ripe, polished tannins.
- A beautifully crafted, elegant style of Cabernet Franc.
- It should be at its best in 7-9 years and will hold for 12+ years.
Varietal Composition: 100% Cabernet Franc
Elaboration: The wine had a pre-fermentation maceration of 124 hours and a post-fermentation maceration of 62 hours. 100% Native fermentation. The wine was punched down by hand 2 times each day during macerations and fermentation. All individual wine components, including free run and press fractions, were kept separate until final blending. Elevage was 18 months in 30% new French oak and 70% neutral French oak. The wine achieved its sparkly brilliance from 3 judicious rackings, no fining agents were employed. The wine was very gently filtered using crossflow filtration.
Tasting Notes: Deep purple color with intense aromatics of violets, black cherry, huckleberry, grilled herbs, dark chocolate, and espresso. On the palate, notes of black cherry, cassis, blackberry, violets, fine cigar tobacco, smoldering incense, sage, espresso, and dark chocolate. The finish is elegant and beautifully long with notes of black cherry, cassis, huckleberry, tobacco, and violets. The fine grained, ripe tannins contribute to the silky mouthfeel.
PRESS
2018 – 92 Jeb Dunnuck | 90+ Vinous
PRODUCER BACKGROUND
The concept of Rasa Vineyards started with a bottle of 1988 Mouton Rothschild that brothers Pinto and Billo Naravane bought at a discount in Napa Valley. That bottle of wine changed their lives. They call it their epiphany wine. That Mouton inspired them to learn all they could about wine and seriously discuss starting a winery. In 2007, with Pinto’s business plan and Billo working on a degree from the UC Davis Master’s program in Viticulture and Winemaking, the two budding winemakers quit their tech jobs and selected Walla Walla, Washington, as the home of Rasa Vineyards.
They purchased 28 acres in Milton-Freewater, Oregon, just ten miles south of Walla Walla, in an area that would become the Rocks District AVA. Their first two wines won accolades and high ratings in wine publications. In 2017, Billo joined an elite worldwide group of 498 people who have earned the title of ‘Master of Wine.’