NEWS: Washington's first $800 wine

[Jenise]

I know you're all going to want to get in on this! (snicker snicker) Bad idea period IMNSHO as even the trophy baits out there aren't going to take a Washington Screaming Eagle equivalent, if that's what it is, seriously; but as well the timing probably couldn't be worse.


Announcing our inaugural icon wine, the 2021 Naravane Cabernet Sauvignon - limited-edition namesake release honoring the strength, elegance, and enduring influence of the Naravane matriarchs.

Crafted from the finest Cabernet Sauvignon vintage we have experienced, this wine captures the extraordinary fruit concentration, intensity, and phenolic depth of the 2021 harvest. The 2021 Naravane stands as a statement: Eastern Washington belongs among the world’s premier wine regions.

It has already earned two perfect 100-point scores, from wine reviewer Owen Bargreen and from senior editor Jeremy Young of International Wine Report.

This is a deeply personal wine—an homage to our mother and paternal grandmother who embody true strength with grace. Their legacy inspired a Cabernet that balances intensity with finesse.

The 2021 Naravane Cabernet Sauvignon is available for purchase on our brand new website starting today.

Thank you for making this milestone possible.

— Pinto, Billo, and the Rasa Crew


/i]

I think I've vaguely heard of Rasa.
Agree doesn't seem market is searching for more $$$$ wines. I get the feeling a lot of expensive Napa wine is going unsold, would be surprised if same wasn't happening in WA.
I've never heard of either reviewer or International Wine Report

I think I've vaguely heard of Rasa.
Agree doesn't seem market is searching for more $$$$ wines. I get the feeling a lot of expensive Napa wine is going unsold, would be surprised if same wasn't happening in WA.
I've never heard of either reviewer or International Wine Report

As evidence of your impression of lots of pricey Napa wine going unsold, I'll note that K&L is now selling Screaming Eagle, albeit at silly prices, something that would have been unthinkable a decade ago. Can't say I've ever heard of either of those reviewers, either, but I'm not exactly current on wine reviewers, so no great surprise.

[Jenise]

Beats me on the International Wine Report. No 'names' associated with it that I know. Owen Bargreen, however, I know quite well. He's a Seattle-based psychologist turned independent wine reviewer--at one point was hired by Vinuous to cover this area but they quickly fell out, though I don't know why.

RASA is a definite A list Washington winery started by two brothers who made their initial fortune at Microsoft. Billo, the primary winemaker, is a MW. Wines are top drawer. Just this week, when they had a one-day 20% off sale, I ordered six bottles--chardonnay at $65 before discount and some cab francs for a little less, but their top stuff runs $100 and up. The wines aren't named for the grapes, but for math and physics stuff--Occams Razor, for instance. One never sees them at regular retail and I suspect this is probably why--the labels are beautiful but you can't tell what's in it by looking at the label, which befuddles the average consumer.