2023 QED CHOICE FUNCTION
WINEMAKER’S NOTES
Beautifully nuanced aromatics, rich fruit character, and great underlying structure. The bouquet is high toned and precise, with notes of violet, cassis, tobacco, sandalwood, vanilla, and spice. Medium-plus body, crisp acidity, silky tannins with cassis and black plum notes that are balanced by gentle herbal and aged tobacco tones. The very long finish echoes notes of violet, dark chocolate, and cassis. The fine grained, ripe tannins contribute to the silky mouthfeel. A beautifully crafted, elegant style of Cabernet Franc. Deftly balanced, should reach maturity in 7-9 years and evolve gracefully for 15+ years.
TECHNICAL DETAILS
The wine had a pre-fermentation maceration of 98 hours and a post-fermentation maceration of 115 hours. 100% Native fermentation. The wine was punched down by hand 2 times each day during macerations and fermentation. All individual wine components, including free run and press fractions, were kept separate until final blending. Elevage was 18 months in 35% new French oak and 65% neutral French oak. The wine achieved its sparkly brilliance from 3 judicious rackings, no fining agents were employed. The wine was very gently filtered using crossflow filtration. The alcohol is 14.7%, pH is 3.89 and the titratable acidity is 5.8 g/L.
CASES PRODUCED 302
VARIETALS Cabernet Franc
APPELLATION Columbia Valley
REVIEWS
95 POINTS | OWEN BARGREEN
“Made from Cabernet Franc, the 2023 ‘Choice Function’ is all Cabernet Franc from the Columbia Valley. Stored in a third new French oak, on the nose this takes on orange bell pepper alongside shades of black licorice and garrigue notes. The palate is lush and ripe with a terrific mouthful and marvelous length. Drink 2026-2038.”
94 POINTS | JEREMY YOUNG, INTERNATIONAL WINE REPORT
“The 2023 Rasa Vineyards QED Choice Function Cabernet Franc from the Columbia Valley spent 18 months in French oak, 35% of it new, giving the wine polish without overwhelming its varietal character. Deep purple in the glass with a lighter violet rim, it opens with aromas of mulberry, red currant, cracked green pepper, cacao nib, and a hint of clove. The palate begins with ripe black cherry and blueberry compote before shifting toward savory notes of thyme, bay leaf, and tobacco leaf. Full-bodied with supple tannins and lively acidity, it carries both weight and freshness, finishing with balance and a subtle note of spice and herbs. About 300 cases produced.”
93 POINTS | ERIC GUIDO, VINOUS
“A total pleasure on the nose, the 2023 QED Choice Function wafts up with a vibrant blend of crushed raspberries, lavender, rose petals and spice. Silken and pliant, it washes across the palate with an elegant wave of ripe wild berry fruits elevated by a subtle tinge of citrus. It finishes with medium length and crunchy tannins while leaving violet inner florals to linger. There's no need to wait, as the 2023 is overdelivering in every way.”
92 POINTS | MICHAEL ALBERTY, WINE ENTHUSIAST
“If a wine like this were involved, I would have paid a lot more attention to mathematical proofs in school. It opens with the delightful scent of a blueberry muffin mixed with candied lavender and mace spice. Juicy acidity and a slippery texture go hand-in-hand with the wine's juicy Bing cherry and tangy pine needle tea flavors.”
LABEL STORY
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.