Rand Sealey reviewed our 2008 Vox Populi and the 2009 DuBrul Cab blend in his monthly online publication Review of Washington Wines (http://reviewofwashingtonwines.com). The Vox Populi is available on a pre-release discount of 20% ($36) through direct order only (pinto@rasavineyards.com) until May. The DuBrul Cab/Merlot blend will be available later in the year.

Here’s what he had to say:

2008 Vox Populi Mourvedre

    Initially, this wine was to be blended with the winery’s QED, but turned out to be so compelling that it had to be bottled on its own. The “voice of the people” has spoken. It displays a deep ruby color and an intriguing nose of wild raspberries, exotic incense, orange peel, crushed roses and a whiff of white pepper. On the palate, it is rich and chewy, almost velvety, and the back shows a ripe, dried berry character that floats into a delicious fruit-acid balanced finish of pomegranate and raspberry juice. The ripe tannins make it approachable, but give enough support for it to age well. 19/20 points.

2008 Rasa Vineyard DuBrul Cab/Merlot Blend

    During Winter Barrel tasting release weekend, I tasted the Rasa DuBrul Cabernet, which I found impressive. Since then the brothers decided to blend it with one-third DuBrul Merlot, making an even more stunning wine. It displays a deep ruby color, and the nose shows an exotic character that is unusual for a “Bordeaux” blend – sultry wild berries and black cassis, oriental incense, jasmine, crushed roses and sandalwood. The flavors are thick and mouth encompassing, expressing complex textures of ripe berry fruits, orange peel, licorice, milk chocolate, French roast coffee and a trace of burnt caramel. The lingering ultra ripe, yet restrained, fine grained tannin finish, laced with vanilla bean and toast (70% new oak) lasts over 2 minutes. 19.5+/20 points. Has the potential to go to 20.