Click the link to read about this month’s club!

We are excited to introduce you to the incredible Rasa Vineyard from Walla Walla that has outstanding wines!

About QED:

QED stands for Quod Erat Demonstrandum – Latin for “which was to be demonstrated.” At the end of a mathematical proof, you typically write QED. It basically means “I’m done; I’ve proven what I set out to prove.”

When we started our winery, our family and friends would say “you guys know a lot about wines, but can you make world class wine?”

Well, the proof is in the bottle – QED.

We liked the name so much that, starting with the 2012 vintage, we extended QED into a line of wines. The packaging differentiators are the sub-names and the label colors. The original QED is now called QED Convergence. It has the original red and black label, and it continues to be a blend of Syrah, Grenache, Mourvedre, and Viognier. We have a Cabernet Franc called QED Axiom of Choice and it has a yellow and black label. As we add more wines to the QED line, we will use different sub-names (all mathematics related like Reimann Hypothesis, taxicab numbers, Kaprekar’s constants) and different label colors to differentiate the wines.

A Few More Details

The concept of Rasa Vineyards started with a bottle of 1988 Mouton Rothschild that brothers Pinto and Billo Naravane bought at a discount in Napa Valley. That bottle of wine changed their lives. They call it their epiphany wine. That Mouton inspired them to learn all they could about wine and seriously discuss starting a winery. In 2007, with Pinto’s business plan and Billo working on a degree from the UC Davis Master’s program in Viticulture and Winemaking, the two budding winemakers quit their tech jobs and selected Walla Walla, Washington, as the home of Rasa Vineyards. In 2017, Billo joined an elite worldwide group of 498 people who have earned the title of ‘Master of Wine.’

Source:  https://www.rasavineyards.com/ 

QED THE STRONG LAW COLUMBIA VALLEY 2021

Varietal Composition: 67% Cabernet Sauvignon, 33% Merlot

Location: Columbia Valley AVA

Cases produced: 135

Press: 2021 – 94 Owen Bargreen | 92 International Wine Review (IWR)

Cellar Aging: Drink now or keep…

Drink now or cellar for 7-9 years for best expression. Will keep for up to 12 years.

Tasting Notes

Intense aromatics of crème de cassis, black plum, blackberry, leather, dark chocolate, and cedar. Gentle herbal tones add secondary interest to the bouquet. Rich and supple tannins are framed by lively acidity. The palate has notes of blackberry, black cherry, crème de cassis, espresso, cigar tobacco, and dark chocolate. The finish is long and elegant with notes of crème de cassis, black cherry, and dark chocolate.

Food Pairing

• Grilled Steak or Ribeye: The bold structure and tannins of this blend complement the richness of grilled or pan-seared steak and other well-marbled cuts like ribeye or porterhouse.
• Lamb Chops or Roast: The wine’s dark fruit and subtle herbaceous notes pair beautifully with herb-crusted lamb or roasted lamb seasoned with rosemary and garlic.
• Braised Short Ribs or Brisket: The wine’s tannins and dark fruit flavors balance well with slow-cooked dishes like braised short ribs, beef brisket, or pot roast.
• Mushroom-Based Dishes: Earthy dishes like mushroom risotto or grilled portobello mushrooms complement the wine’s savory, earthy notes.
• Aged Cheeses: Pair with aged cheddar, Gouda, or Parmesan to bring out the wine’s layered fruit flavors and add a nutty contrast.

QED GSM BLEND 2019 CONVERGENCE

Varietal Composition: Syrah, Grenache, Mourvedre

Location: Columbia Valley AVA

Press: 2019 – 96 International Wine Report

Cellar Aging: Drink now or keep…

Drink now or cellar for 8-10 years for best expression. Will keep for up to 15 years.

Tasting Notes

The complex bouquet consists of blackberry, huckleberry, bacon fat, violets, white pepper, and forest floor. Nuances of gravel, incense, and roasted herbs can also be found. As usual, the palate is nicely layered and well delineated: huckleberry, kirsch dominate but notes of bacon fat, truffle mushroom, blackberry, and Asian spices, support. The refreshing acidity and fine-grained tannins provide a nice counterpoint to the fruit intensity. The very long finish echoes tones of kirsch, blackberry, cured meats and white pepper.

Food Pairing

• Grilled or Roasted Meats: The wine’s depth and structure pair perfectly with grilled lamb, beef short ribs, or herb-crusted pork loin.
• Braised Dishes: The wine’s earthy and spicy notes complement braised meats such as osso buco, braised beef, or coq au vin.
• Game: Try it with game meats like duck, venison, or wild boar to highlight the wine’s dark fruit and subtle peppery undertones.
• Mediterranean Dishes: The Grenache component pairs well with ratatouille, stuffed peppers, or eggplant Parmesan, enhancing the wine’s bright fruit and herbal notes.
• Aged Cheeses: Aged cheeses like Gouda, Comté, or aged Manchego add a savory balance to the wine’s fruit and spice profile.