Last year, Rand Sealey in his online publication http://reviewofwashingtonwines.com, gave the 2007 Principia Reserve Syrah a perfect score.

He recently reviewed our wines. Though no perfect scores this year, we did come close with the 2008 Creative Impulse. As he says “it is a potential 20-point wine. 19.5+/20 points.”

We’ll take it.

If you aren’t familiar with Rand’s reviews, I urge you to check them out. It’s a great way to get familiar with Washington wines. His is a paid subscription but it’s worth it.

Here are his reviews of our wines:

2008 Creative Impulse

    This blend of 69% Cabernet Sauvignon and 31% Merlot from a premier vineyard displays a deep ruby color and an intense nose of blackberry, cherry and cassis, with scents of wildflowers, attar of rose and lavender. The flavors are deep and penetrating, with admixtures of dark chocolate, licorice, silty minerals and coffee grounds. On the back, sensations of crème brulee, roasted berries, cedar and oak vanillin (60% new French) emerge, followed by a deep, long and complex finish, sprinkled with spices (coriander, clove, nutmeg). The ripe tannins are unobtrusive, but indicate ageworthiness. So complete and well balanced, it is a potential 20-point wine. 19.5+/20 points.

2008 Principia Reserve Syrah

    As a new vintage, this wine shows a different mathematical formula on the label than the previous one. It exhibits a deep purplish color and a seductive nose of roasted wild berries, rose petals, smoldering incense, sandalwood, violets and oriental perfumes. The dark fruits are thickly saturated, showing sensations of Swiss chocolate, black licorice, French roast, toasted nuts, and orange peel. The concentration continues on the back, with a gush of macerated huckleberries, accented by a touch of crème brulee. With just the right touch of oak (25% new) and balanced alcohol (14.2%) the finish is long and focused, showing ripe, sweet tannins. 19.5/20 points.

2008 QED

    This blend of 83% Syrah, 10% Grenache, 5% Mourvedre and 2% Viognier offers a deep purplish color and sultry, smoky aromas of raspberries, black currants, garrigue (French lavender), rosebuds and whiffs of violets. Thick and chewy on the palate, it shows a full array of dark roasted fruits, licorice, dark chocolate, French roast, and scorched earth. On the back, notes of kirsch liqueur, bitter orange peel, dried cherries and mocha emerge, followed by ripe chewy tannins, all beautifully integrated. 19+/20 points

2009 Vox Populi Mourvedre

    This 100% Mourvedre shows a deep purplish color and a rich, spicy blackberry and cherry nose, with scents of wildflowers and lavender. On the palate, it is rich and chewy, like macerated berries mixed with licorice and chocolate. The back picks up a touch of creamy mocha along with squeezed berries and a twist of orange peel, followed by a long ripe tannin finish. 19/20 points.

If you’d like to purchase some, please go to http://shop.rasavineyards.com to place your order.