This pioneer winery was founded in Prosser, WA by the husband and wife team of John and Louise Rauner in 1977. John Rauner was the first wine commissioner with the Department of Agriculture and a
nd chairman for the Washington State’s first appellation, the Yakima Valley AVA. Louise and John went on to launch the Yakima Valley Winegrowers association in 1982, leaving an indelible mark upon the wine industry. Robert Smasne, another Prosser local and owner of Smasne Cellars, began carrying on this pioneering winery’s legacy with the first release of this wine in 2019.
Yakima River Winery 2017 Last Cast Red Wine, $45
92 pts.
Brimming with aromas and flavors of steeped black currant, blackberry and crushed boysenberry, accentuated by pencil shavings and loamy earth details. The concentrated fruit is tightly focused on the front, fanning out on the midpalate with juicy, underlying acidity. The flavors deepen further on the long finish, backed by a firm grip of powdery tannins, graphite and baking spice.