2011 Rasa Vineyards Syrah Reserve Principia
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Tasting notes
(13.4% alcohol; a blend of four vineyards): Bright red-ruby. Sexy, primary aromas of black raspberry, black cherry, gunflint and fruity black pepper, plus a hint of tar. Juicy and invigorating, with lively acidity giving shape and a pristine quality to the flavors of raspberry, pepper, tar and spice. Wonderfully tangy but tightly coiled, in the style of the vintage’s more classic examples. I’d wait at least five years on this one.
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Average Score
Stephen Tanzer, Vinous
Jeb Dunnuck, Wine Advocate
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My favorite of the Syrah releases, the 2011 Syrah Principia Reserve offers up a dark, decadent style, with plenty of pepper, underbrush, truffle and assorted black fruits emerging from the glass. Showing the firmer feel and juicy acidity that’s present in all of these 2011s, this solid Syrah will benefit from short-term cellaring and have 10 to 12 years of overall longevity. Based out of Walla Walla and created in 2007, Rasa is run by brothers Pinto and Billo Naravane. They fashion classic, focused and structured efforts that benefit from bottle age. All of the 2011s I tasted had a reserved, tight profile, so short-term cellaring is advised here. I thought the 2012s were gorgeous and up with the best wines I’ve tasted from this estate. Tel:(509) 540-6721; www.rasavineyards.com