Press Room

Calistoga Cabernet Sauvignon Reviews

Score: 92 | December 27, 2023 | James Suckling

Spiced dark berries, ripe plums, sweet spices, iodine and bark on the nose. Full-bodied, racy and dark-fruited with fine tannins and creamy texture. Long and warming finish. Try after 2025.

Score: 92 | December 31, 2022 | Wine Enthusiast

Oak spices and deep black-fruits make a great combination in this fullbodied, gently tannic wine. Dark plums, dark chocolate, mint, sweet cinnamon and blueberries spread across the palate.

Score: 91 | October 31, 2022 | Wine Spectator

Ripe, juicy and fairly open-knit, with black currant and blackberry notes leading the way, backed by light licorice snap and tar. A juicy edge drives the finish. Drink now through 2030. 262 cases made.

Score: 94 | March 10, 2022 | Jeb Dunnuck

The deep ruby-hued 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon District Collection Calistoga is 100% Cabernet Sauvignon and was raised all in 32% new Saury barrels. It has wonderful balance as well as a medium to full-bodied, elegant, almost understated profile that builds nicely with air. It has classic Cabernet darker currants fruits as well as subtle tobacco, incense, and floral nuances. Again, the balance is terrific, and it should have no problems evolving for 15+ years. I suspect it will show more intensity with another couple of years of bottle age as well.

Score: 93 | January 1, 2022 | Vinous/Antonio Galloni

The 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon Calistoga is laced with all sorts of savory and earthy notes. Dried herbs, tobacco, crushed flowers and mint all grace this flavorful, expressive Calistoga Cabernet from Raymond. The 2019 is very nicely done. It will drink well with minimal cellaring, as it is already quite expressive.

-- Antonio Galloni

Score: 89 | June 30, 2021 | Wine Spectator

Ripe and slightly languid in style, with gently mulled red and black currant fruit, mixed with fruitcake and a hint of sassafras. Firms up a touch on the finish to keep it honest. Drink now through 2023. -JM

Score: 92 | April 1, 2021 | Wine Enthusiast

Sweet and tangy in cassis and dark cherry, this well-integrated wine is lengthy and relatively subdued, with an elegant structure. Dried herb, cedar and a note of tobacco round out the yin and yang of the wine. -Virginie Boone

Score: 93 | February 26, 2021 | Wine Advocate

Made from 100% Cabernet Sauvignon, the 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon Calistoga District Collection was aged in French oak, 42% new. Deep garnet-purple colored, it bursts from the glass with notes of stewed black cherries, black plum preserves and warm cassis, plus hints of dried mint, garrigue, fertile loam and truffles with a touch of scorched earth. Medium to full-bodied, the palate has seriously lively, crunchy black fruits and loads of bright, herbal sparks on offer, framed by soft tannins and bold freshness, finishing on a compelling mineral note. 263 cases were made. -Lisa Perrotti-Brown

Score: 94+ | January 27, 2021 | JebDunnuck.com

Lots of red, black, and blue fruits as well as an incredible sense of flowers emerge from the 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon District Collection Calistoga, which is all Cabernet brought up in 42% new French oak. This is another lively, pure, balanced beauty by winemaker Stephanie Putnam that offers medium to full-bodied richness, a notable spine of acidity (I suspect the pH is quite low), ripe tannins, and just a pretty, seamless style that’s going to evolve nicely for 15-20 years.

Score: 93 | January 1, 2021 | Vinous/Antonio Galloni

The 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon Calistoga is another terrific wine in this range. Bold and ample, the Calistoga Cabernet offers tons of volume and real sense of textural breadth. Inky dark fruit, chocolate, grilled herbs, leather and scorched earth abound in this flavorful, alluring Cabernet. The 2018 is beautifully done.

-- Antonio Galloni

Score: 93 | October 28, 2020 | Wine Spectator

Nicely packed with loganberry, raspberry and plum compote flavors, this pumps along with extra anise, bay leaf, fruitcake and roasted apple wood notes filling behind. The long finish has well-buried grip, letting the fruit play out. Best from 2022 through 2032. — JM

Score: 93 | October 31, 2018 | Wine Spectator

Charming for the supple texture and purity of the flavors, centered on fleshy currant, blackberry and black cherry notes, with spice and cedar shades adding dimension. Drink now through 2030.

Score: 90 | April 1, 2018 | Wine Enthusiast

Meaty, sanguine flavors greet the straightforward entry to this appellation wine, a showcase of the area's warm climate. Substantial concentration builds along the midpalate, dusted in clove, black cherry and berry.

Score: 94 | September 30, 2017 | Wine Spectator

Despite being tightly wound, this gushes with fresh, lively dark berry, sage, graphite, cedar and crushed rock flavors before substantial tannins close in. Should be long-lived. Best from 2021 through 2034. 336 cases made.
–JL

Score: Silver | December 1, 2015 | Grand Harvest Awards
Score: 93 | December 1, 2015 | Wine Enthusiast

Soft hints of cinnamon and clove waft upwards out of the bouquet, before a wave of warm red fruit and vanilla form around age-worthy, rounded tannins. Nicely structured and drinkable now, it should take on additional complexity and nuance through 2020. — V.B.

Score: 90 | November 15, 2015 | Wine Spectator

Shows the ripeness and richness of the vintage, along with a measure of elegance and finesse. Focuses on pure dark berry, cherry and light mocha flavors, with a lingering finish.  –JL

Score: 90 | October 1, 2013 | Wine Advocate
The saturated ruby/purple-hued 2010 Cabernet Sauvignon Calistoga District Collection reveals a sweeter mid-core of fruit than the St. Helena cuvee, abundant black currant and black cherry notes, a textured mouthfeel and a long finish. It should drink well for 15 years.
Score: 93 | May 31, 2013 | Wine Spectator
Nicely oaky, with toasty mochal and dill notes leading to a chocolate-laced core of dark berry. Firms on the finish, ending with spicy, chewy tannins and excellent length.
Score: 88 | May 1, 2013 | Wine Enthusiast Online Exclusive
So rich and soft with chocolate, raspberry and vanilla flavors, this wine is better sipped by itself than with food. The alcohol level is enormously high, giving this Cabernet the headiness of a Port.