2016 Creative Impulse
Tasting notes
The blend for the 2016 Creative Impulse is 59% Cabernet Sauvignon and 41% Merlot, all from DuBrul Vineyard. Sparkling ruby-purple color with a multifaceted bouquet of cassis, mint, ripe black cherry, gravel, dark chocolate, thyme, sage, and nutmeg. Very complex on the palate with notes of cassis, blackberry, smoldering incense, tobacco, mint, espresso, and herbes de Provence. Beautifully balanced with slightly firm tannins and refreshing acidity. Very long length with notes of cassis, gravel, and aged cigar tobacco. Properly cellared, this wine will gracefully evolve for 20+ years and should reach maturity in 8-10 years.
The wine had a pre-fermentation maceration of 160 hours and a post-fermentation maceration of 92 hours. The wine was fermented with 100% native yeasts and was punched down by hand 3 times each day during macerations and fermentation. All individual wine components, including free run and press fractions, were kept separate until final blending. The wine had an elevage of 30 months in French Oak puncheons. The oak profile is 60% new French oak (predominantly from Troncais and Alliers) and 40% neutral French oak. The wine was racked twice and not fined. The wine was very lightly filtered to capture any remaining lees. The alcohol is 14.8%, pH is 3.63, and the titratable acidity is 6.2 g/L. 95 Cases produced.
| Vintage | 2016 |
| Varietal Composition | 59% Cabernet Sauvignon, 41% Merlot |
| Appellation | Yakima Valley AVA |
| Vineyard | DuBrul Vineyard |
| Designation | DuBrul Vineyard |
| Acid | 6.2 g/L |
| PH | 3.63 |
| Alcohol | 14.80% |
| Volume | 750 ml |
| Cases Produced | 95 |
| Country of Origin | UNITED STATES |
| State of Origin | Washington |
96 points
2016 Rasa Vineyards ‘Creative Impulse’ Red Wine- Entirely sourced from the ‘DuBrul Vineyard’ in the Yakima Valley this blends 59% Cabernet Sauvignon and 41% Merlot. The mid-palate is extremely seamless and weightless with incredible finesse and elegance. Tobacco, blackberry compote, red cherry and violets and asphalt with wet gravel accents all meld together on the palate. Stunning and shining brightly at the five year mark, this gorgeous bottling will provide drinking enjoyment for at least another fifteen years. Drink 2021-2036- Owen Bargreen, Vinous
