What Kind of Wine Is Rascal Pinot Noir ?
Rascal Pinot Noir is a medium-bodied red wine sourced from the Willamette Valley in Oregon. Known for its fruity, red cherry flavor, it is complemented by an oaky, earthy scent that easily makes it a perfect summer drink. Rascal Pinot Noir is produced by the Great Oregon Wine Company and Distillery. It is a result of the founders’ love for wine and great appreciation for Oregon’s unique culture, lifestyle, and community.
This appreciation is reflected in every bottle of wine they make. Despite being a relatively new member of the wine industry, their Rascal Pinot Noir is well-known for its long finish and fruity flavors. The grapes used by the Great Oregon Wine Company and Distillery are a product of warm sunny days and cool nights — ideal weather that allows them to ripen into maturity while providing a balanced acidity.
These grapes are grown in cool climates and the wines require low yields. This lends them a unique aroma which makes the Rascal Pinot Noir even more attractive. The Rascal Pinot Noir alcohol content is 13%, which is neither too high nor too low.
Rascal Pinot Noir Review
- Winery — Rascal
- Country/Region — United States, Oregon
- Type — Oregon Pinot Noir
- Aroma — Fruity, Dry Earth, Vanilla, Oak
- Grapes — Pinot Noir
- Taste — Blackberry, Bing Cherry, Oak, Pepper
- Alcohol Content — 13.5%
- Sugar — Dry
- Pairing — Beef, Veal, Game, Poultry
The Rascal Pinot Noir price is affordable yet offers good quality. If you’re looking for a versatile wine that you can save for a special occasion or sip in the evenings, look no further. This fruity wine with its low alcohol content and aromatic fragrance is easy to drink and even easier to enjoy.
Tasting Notes
The Rascal Pinot Noir is a medium-bodied, flavorful red wine from Oregon. A true Oregon classic, this fruit-forward wine’s tasting notes display flavors of blueberry, boysenberry, and raspberry. It holds a unique mix of red berry flavors against a backdrop of oak with a dark cherry on the nose.
It has a light toast that brings out an earthy aroma and mild wood notes. The pleasant Oregon climate with warm mornings and cool evenings is perfect for Pinot Noir grapes. The tannins are well integrated, subtle, and lingers on the palate. It has a long finish with a smooth and buttery texture.
Appearance
Typical of Oregon Pinot Noir, the Rascal Pinot Noir has a deep ruby color that hints at the presence of dark fruits like blackberries and raspberries. The red liquid is translucent but is neither too thick nor too thin. It shows thin legs when swirled which are slow to fall. The bottle has a simple label with a picture of a beloved dog with a halo. It is in memory of a beloved dog owned by the winemakers behind the brand.
Aroma
As you pour the Rascal Pinot Noir into a glass, you immediately smell how aromatic this wine is. In the first whiff, you’ll notice the primary fruitiness of the wine along with hints of vanilla. The next time you take it in, the earthy richness of raspberry with the slightest suggestion of sweet tobacco becomes evident. There are also truffle and mushroom notes that quickly follow suit.
Taste
Rascal Pinot Noir has vivid Bing cherry notes with touches of blackberries, boysenberries, and plums. The flavor of the fruits combine with a slight bitterness from the tannins. It has light flavors of sweet cherry along with an oaky, earthy essence. There is also a light toast that blends with the fruit flavors. Overall, it’s a simple wine that’s suitable for daily consumption.
Finish
Rascal Pinot Noir is medium-bodied, dry, and smooth. There’s a nice transition from the flavors to the tannins which settles nicely on the palate. It has a layer of acidity that is well integrated and not too strong. It delivers a long, clean, and pleasing finish.
Rating
This review must take special mention of how enjoyable this wine is. I find it to be a light and reserved wine that beautifully balances the fruit berries that comprise it. Together with its woodsy oakiness, the Rascal Pinot Noir achieves a good level of depth and subtle complexity. Its long finish and muted tannins denote a wine that has been well-filtered and carefully crafted. With its low alcohol content, Rascal Pinot Noir is a versatile, quality wine that can be enjoyed on its own after a summer’s day or with food. This is a wine worthy of a 85/100 rating – well worth a try.
Rascal Pinot Noir Food Pairing
This is one of those wines that is great on its own but also pairs well with other food. You can perfectly pair the Rascal Pinot Noir with beef, veal, game, or poultry. It also goes with lobster ravioli, pork tenderloin, and cedar plank salmon. If you’re in the mood for Asian food, you can pair it with kebabs or just about anything with wild mushrooms.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who Makes Rascal Pinot Noir ?
The Rascal Pinot Noir comes from the Great Oregon Wine Company and Distillery which is based in Oregon, United States. Rascal Pinot Noir is named after a golden retriever who passed away. The dog was owned by the winemakers of the Great Oregon Wine Company and Distillery. You will notice an impression of their dog Rascal with a halo atop his head imprinted on every label of the pinot noir they named after him.
The winemakers responsible for this dry wine encourage their customers to give back to the Humane Society of the United States along with several national and local foundations. The Great Oregon Winery uses sustainable methods of harvesting and boasts of the highest purity rankings. Rascal Pinot Noir wine is interestingly fruity and not too complex. It’s a charming drink that sits nicely on the palate and goes well with any occasion and most savory food pairings.
How Is Rascal Pinot Noir Made?
The volcanic alluvial soils of Chile are very similar in composition to the Missoula flood deposits of Oregon. Because of these surprising similarities, grapes for the Rascal Pinot Noir are now sourced from the vineyards of the Central Valley of Chile located near the Maule River.
The vines are grown in soils that have blends of stone and clay along with alluvial and volcanic mineral content. This is very similar to the soil of the Willamette Valley of Oregon. Most vineyards are located in decomposed granite. This low-nutrient soil is perfect for the deep root systems of top-quality older vines that need minimal irrigation. Pinot Noir grapes are the key ingredients in the Rascal Pinot Noir wines. In terms of cultivation, they are among the most difficult types of grapes to cultivate. They have a distinctive brisk acidic flavor that contributes to its medium body.
Why the Maule River?
The soil and climate near the Maule River give the grapes their characteristic texture and thin skin while shielding them from disease and too much moisture. This environment helps to develop the flavor and aroma of the wine.
The winemakers carefully de-stem the harvested grapes and place them in stainless steel fermentation vessels. Subsequently, the grapes are soaked in cold water for 3 to 5 days for the flavor and color extraction process. The temperature is kept low to encourage flavor development and to increase its complexity. Traces of oak are then added for fermentation which offers structural balance and maintains the fruits’ true expression.
Where Is Rascal Pinot Noir Made?
The grapes of the Rascal Pinot Noir are sourced from multiple sites within the Willamette Valley to provide the best-tasting representation of grapes from the region. The pleasant climate makes it home to some of the best produce for wine-making.
The year 2020 proved to be a dampener on many levels for this winery as rains during harvest season produced lower than normal yields. This led them to shift their focus to flavor and berry development. The wildfires during August and September of that same year further reduced the yield and led the winemakers to source their grapes from Chile. The vineyards of Chile provided the closest possible match for the Rascal Pinot Noir profile. To this day, they continue to use grapes from Chile.
The founders are driven to provide top-quality wines of the best value. Each barrel is painstakingly sampled and chosen to provide the best taste and variety. Today, every bottle produced by Great Oregon is a celebration of diversity and the Willamette Valley farmers who practice organic, environmentally friendly, and pesticide-free farming.
How to Serve Rascal Pinot Noir ?
Temperature makes a huge difference to the pinot noir’s flavor and aroma. This wine at its best when served chilled at around 55 to 62 degrees Fahrenheit (or 13 to 17 degrees Celsius). A large, bell-shaped wine glass will help you enjoy the full aroma of this wine. You can refrigerate it after opening, however, to maintain its freshness, it’s better to consume it by the next day or so. Make sure to cork it firmly.
How Much Does Rascal Pinot Noir Cost?
The Rascal Pinot Noir is reasonably priced for the quality of the grapes. Its price ranges between $10 to $15 for every 25-ounce (750ml) bottle. You may want to consider the vintage and the quality of the grape before buying.
How Long Does Rascal Pinot Noir Last?
Like most pinot noirs, the Rascal Pinot Noir lasts about 3 to 5 years. If stored at the right temperature and conditions, it can be stored for up to 8 years. Make sure to check the back label for the date it was produced.
How Many Calories Does Rascal Pinot Noir Have?
Rascal Pinot Noir calories in every 750 ml bottle are about 125 per 5-ounce serving.
Conclusion
The Rascal Pinot Noir price is affordable yet offers good quality. If you’re looking for a versatile wine that you can save for a special occasion or sip in the evenings, look no further. This fruity wine with its low alcohol content and aromatic fragrance is easy to drink and even easier to enjoy.
