Rasa Vineyards
This Walla Walla wine story begins with two wine collectors and oenophiles, Pinto and Billo Naravane. These guys decided to quit their jobs in the computer industry and move to Walla Walla, where they started Rasa Vineyards in 2007. What they’ve created is some exceptional, terroir driven wines. Billo Naravane serves as head winemaker and is one exceptional man, having a bachelor’s degree from MIT and a master’s degree from Stanford. His wine education is the one of the best out there as well, completing the wine program from UC Davis. It’s no wonder that this incredibly smart man makes some great wine.
I was first introduced to Rasa casually a year ago at a blind tasting. My first bottle of 2007 QED really has that ‘wow’ factor with an incredibly rich flavor profile but wonderful smoothness. I recently had the chance to try some other wines and they impressed as well. As a boutique producer, Rasa is pretty difficult to find. You have to check their online store at rasavineyards.com or at specialty Northwest wine shops like Esquin. Here are the fantastic wines that I have tried from Rasa.
2013 Rasa Chardonnay-This has lighter aromatics with light pear and apple on the nose. Nice mouthfeel and acid structure. There are flavors of brioche, red delicious and starfruit that connect the lively acidity. Refreshing. Drink 2015-2018 -90
2007 Rasa QED- This has 94% Syrah with the rest Grenache. Very perfumed nose with anise and red cherry, alongside red raspberry, red cherry, pomegranate and blackberry flavors. Smooth and memorable wine that impresses and gives you that ‘wow’ factor. Restrained but balanced. This seamless wine is one of the best of its style. Drink 2015-2020. -95
2009 Rasa QED-This is their Syrah dominant blend that impresses, once again. Nice richness, viscosity and mouthfeel with aromas of dark cherry, blackberry and chocolate cake. This dense wine brings flavors of blackberry, creme de cassis and coffee on the mid-palate. Like the 2007, this is a delicious and layered wine that is tough to resist now. Drink 2015-2022. -94