Rasa Vineyards
Founder's Reserve Columbia Valley Red Blend
Columbia Valley, Oregon/Washington, USA
Popped and poured, enjoyed over the course of two days. Consistent throughout. The 2018 Founder’s Reserve pours a deep ruby/purple color with a near opaque core; medium+ viscosity with significant staining of the tears and no obvious signs of sediment. On the nose, the wine is developing with notes of ripe, dark fruit: black currants, black plum, blackberry, black cherry, tobacco, some grilled poblano pepper, baking chocolate, vanilla, and baking spices. On the palate, the wine is dry with mediumt+ tannin and medium acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is medium. This wine has developed nicely over the last several years and from my perspective, squarely in its prime. Drink now through 2030.
Popped and poured, enjoyed over the course of two days. Consistent throughout. The 2018 Founder’s Reserve pours a deep ruby/purple color with a near opaque core; medium+ viscosity with significant staining of the tears and no obvious signs of sediment. On the nose, the wine is developing with notes of ripe, dark fruit: black currants, black plum, blackberry, black cherry, tobacco, some grilled poblano pepper, baking chocolate, vanilla, and baking spices. On the palate, the wine is dry with mediumt+ tannin and medium acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is medium. This wine has developed nicely over the last several years and from my perspective, squarely in its prime. Drink now through 2030.
Nov 15th, 2024Popped and poured; enjoyed over two days and consistent throughout. The Founders Reserve VII is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon 52%, Syrah 35%, Merlot 8%, and Cabernet Franc 5% from a half dozen vineyard sources: StoneTree, Firethorn, DuBrul, Kiona, Weinbau, and Rasa’s estate vineyard in The Rocks District. The quality of the sources is obvious. The wine pours a deep ruby color with a near opaque core. Medium+ viscosity with moderate staining of the tears. No signs of sediment. On the nose, the wine is developing with black currants, brambles, blueberries, lavender, stoney minerals, some vanilla and baking spices. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ tannins and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is long and the tannins are grippy. Another solid edition of the Founder’s series. Definitely on the young side but drinking well now and I expect it will do so through 2030 with relative ease.
Popped and poured; enjoyed over two days and consistent throughout. The Founders Reserve VII is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon 52%, Syrah 35%, Merlot 8%, and Cabernet Franc 5% from a half dozen vineyard sources: StoneTree, Firethorn, DuBrul, Kiona, Weinbau, and Rasa’s estate vineyard in The Rocks District. The quality of the sources is obvious. The wine pours a deep ruby color with a near opaque core. Medium+ viscosity with moderate staining of the tears. No signs of sediment. On the nose, the wine is developing with black currants, brambles, blueberries, lavender, stoney minerals, some vanilla and baking spices. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ tannins and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is long and the tannins are grippy. Another solid edition of the Founder’s series. Definitely on the young side but drinking well now and I expect it will do so through 2030 with relative ease.
The 4th release of Founder’s Reserve. A slightly different cuvée than the previous three versions of Founders Reserve. The wine pours a deep ruby with a translucent core, no signs of sediment; medium viscosity. Medium+ intensity with a mixed fruit set on the nose: blue, black and red fruits with spices and purple flowers. On the pallet, the fruit is generous. Confirm the mixed fruits, some black pepper and baking spices. The finish is long and with medium, dusty tannins and medium+ acid. The wine is dry and the finishes long. Better after significant air.
The 4th release of Founder’s Reserve. A slightly different cuvée than the previous three versions of Founders Reserve. The wine pours a deep ruby with a translucent core, no signs of sediment; medium viscosity. Medium+ intensity with a mixed fruit set on the nose: blue, black and red fruits with spices and purple flowers. On the pallet, the fruit is generous. Confirm the mixed fruits, some black pepper and baking spices. The finish is long and with medium, dusty tannins and medium+ acid. The wine is dry and the finishes long. Better after significant air.
Nov 7th, 2021The third and latest release of the Founder’s Reserve follows the tradition of the previous versions; a Bordeaux blend of sorts with a dollop of Syrah. Popped and poured; consumed over four days. The wine came across disjointed on Day 1 & 2. By day 3 it started to turn into something more interesting and Day 4 was best. Mostly blue and black fruits with dark cherries and figs, pipe tobacco, minerals, baking spices, a small touch of vanilla. Medium tannin. Medium plus acid. Finish is satisfying. A touch of heat on the finish but just. These need a few years to show their best.
The third and latest release of the Founder’s Reserve follows the tradition of the previous versions; a Bordeaux blend of sorts with a dollop of Syrah. Popped and poured; consumed over four days. The wine came across disjointed on Day 1 & 2. By day 3 it started to turn into something more interesting and Day 4 was best. Mostly blue and black fruits with dark cherries and figs, pipe tobacco, minerals, baking spices, a small touch of vanilla. Medium tannin. Medium plus acid. Finish is satisfying. A touch of heat on the finish but just. These need a few years to show their best.
Apr 29th, 2021