Rasa Vineyards
QED Walla Walla Valley Red Blend
Walla Walla Valley, Oregon/Washington, USA
My 2020 rating and my 2023 rating (below).
This wine is 9 years old but it’s still really too young to drink. I think it will take another decade before it mellows out. This is the most intense GSM I’ve ever tasted! — Or rather, it’s an SMG with a little V. Mint and oregano on the nose. Perhaps a little tobacco, too. unripe cherries on the front, and they transition into a complex but astringent tannic structure at the mid-palate. These are redeemed by some softer tannins at the end. Nice finish with some mineral high notes. Frankly, this wine is pretty harsh in its current state. I’m giving it a 9.0 based on its potential. I’m going to try to put another one of these bottles down for another five years, and I’ll report back. Potentially this could be a 9.5 in a decade.
———
It’s late in 2023 and I’m checking in on this wine again. I can’t believe how much is changed in three years. I’m not increasing my rating though. This wine seems mature now, and it may be starting on the downhill side. I thought it would last longer, but I stored it suboptimally by mistake
The herbal notes on the nose are gone replaced by intense cherries. The tobacco is more pronounced. The fruit on the front has mostly faded. The tannic structure remains — however its astringency has mellowed. But the finish is a bit stronger — with some mineral notes that remind of the wines from volcanic soils. Long finish. I’m not gonna change my rating —distinctly different but still very nice.
Yikes! It’s fading in the decanter as I write this! Yes, I got to this bottle just in time!
My 2020 rating and my 2023 rating (below).
This wine is 9 years old but it’s still really too young to drink. I think it will take another decade before it mellows out. This is the most intense GSM I’ve ever tasted! — Or rather, it’s an SMG with a little V. Mint and oregano on the nose. Perhaps a little tobacco, too. unripe cherries on the front, and they transition into a complex but astringent tannic structure at the mid-palate. These are redeemed by some softer tannins at the end. Nice finish with some mineral high notes. Frankly, this wine is pretty harsh in its current state. I’m giving it a 9.0 based on its potential. I’m going to try to put another one of these bottles down for another five years, and I’ll report back. Potentially this could be a 9.5 in a decade.
———
It’s late in 2023 and I’m checking in on this wine again. I can’t believe how much is changed in three years. I’m not increasing my rating though. This wine seems mature now, and it may be starting on the downhill side. I thought it would last longer, but I stored it suboptimally by mistake
The herbal notes on the nose are gone replaced by intense cherries. The tobacco is more pronounced. The fruit on the front has mostly faded. The tannic structure remains — however its astringency has mellowed. But the finish is a bit stronger — with some mineral notes that remind of the wines from volcanic soils. Long finish. I’m not gonna change my rating —distinctly different but still very nice.
Yikes! It’s fading in the decanter as I write this! Yes, I got to this bottle just in time!
Still young and more acidic. Will benefit from some more time in the bottle.
Still young and more acidic. Will benefit from some more time in the bottle.
Oct 3rd, 2015
