Washington wine reaches a Milestone
It has happened. It’s a first. A milestone! The Washington State winemaking scene has recently celebrated the release of the first-ever $800 bottle of Washington wine. This ultra-premium price point arrives with the launch of the 2021 Naravane Cabernet Sauvignon from Rasa Vineyard in the Walla Walla Valley. What makes the Naravane Cabernet so special? It represents the winery’s “namesake release,” spotlighting Billo Naravane’s finest barrels from the vintage. Here is part of Jeremy Young’s review in the International Wine Report
”Rasa Vineyards has earned an enviable reputation for crafting wines of extraordinary quality, but the recent release of their Cabernet Sauvignon marked a new pinnacle. I was compelled to award this wine a rare 100-point score—a testament to its near-perfect harmony of flavor intensity, structural balance, and complexity. This Cabernet is profound, with layers of nuanced aromas and flavors, seamless tannins, and an exceptionally long, memorable finish. It stands as a benchmark, not only for Rasa but for Washington wines as a whole.With a deep, radiant purple-red core and a vivid crimson rim, the 2021 Naravane Cabernet Sauvignon immediately commands attention—both visually and aromatically. This is a wine of stunning depth and detail, revealing an intricate aromatic mosaic that evolves with each swirl: ripe black cherries and wild mountain blackberries emerge first, followed by layers of dried rose petals, cedarwood, and crushed thyme. This is not only a pinnacle for Columbia Valley Cabernet Sauvignon, but one of the finest expressions of the variety being made anywhere today. This price tag places Naravane in previously uncharted territory for Washington. Never before has a domestic bottle from the state approached this ultra-premium range. It makes a bold statement, positioning Washington Cabernets on a global prestige level traditionally occupied by Napa icons.”
Reactions among enthusiasts have been mixed. On one side, Rasa’s decision is applauded for ambition and recognizing the maturity of Washington terroirs—indicating the state’s capacity to deliver wines that can stand alongside the world’s elite. On the flip side, a number of collectors and connoisseurs are questioning whether the experience truly warrants the price. I have mixed feeling about this. What is sure is it will be a niche purchase, reserved for the rich and for wine collectors.
The release taps into a growing trend for collectible, cult-status wines. Washington has steadily built a reputation for high-end Cabernets, such as the famed Quilceda Creek, which earned multiple 100-point scores and famously featured at a White House state dinner, yet none have crossed the $500-mark until now, making Naravane a new benchmark.
For wine lovers eager to glimpse the next frontier of Washington wines, the Naravane 2021 will be inaccessible because of price. However, it does offers an opportunity for some to taste a wine born of exceptional viticulture, precise winemaking, and bold ambition for the few—it’s a historic investment for collectors, but most of all it is demanding attention to the world-class nature of Washington wine.