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Generations Cabernet Sauvignon Reviews

Score: 93 | January 31, 2024 | Wine Advocate

This is the first Raymond wine Melka began consulting on, back in 2008. The 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon Generations delivers scents of black cherries, menthol, red cherries and softly dusty earth, all swirled together into a funnel of complexity. While full-bodied and silky, it's also dominated by bright fruit flavors, finishing long and mouthwatering.

Score: 92 | December 27, 2023 | James Suckling

Currants, forest berries, dried herbs, bark and tar on the nose. Full-bodied with sinewy tannins. A rich array of creamy cherries and blackberries at the center with sweet spices and some chocolate. Round and creamy finish with a firmer touch. Better after 2025.

Score: 93 | September 15, 2023 | Wine Spectator

A densely packed offering, with a muscular core of black currant, fig and blackberry reduction flavors interwoven with warm loam, roasted cedar and sweet tobacco accents. Solidly grippy too; needs a little time to stretch out. For fans of the amped-up style. Best from 2024 through 2035.

Score: 94 | October 1, 2023 | Wine Enthusiast

Rich oak char, chocolate and tobacco flavors slather this wine with an earthy, spicy character that is backed by bold black cherries and blackberries. While good and tannic, the wine’s texture is fine-grained and velvety. Best 2025–2032. —J.G.

Score: 96-98 | February 16, 2023 | Jeb Dunnuck

The flagship of this impressive estate, the 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon Generations is an up-front, plush, incredibly sexy barrel sample that's just about overflowing with red and black fruits as well as spicy oak, dried flowers, and savory herb-driven aromas and flavors. Full-bodied, concentrated, and balanced, this pleasure-bent effort is going to shine right out of the gate yet still evolve for two decades.

Score: 92 | June 1, 2022 | James Suckling

Aromas of blackcurrant, tobacco leaf and iodine. Full-bodied and rather juicy. The silky tannins are coated in black fruit. Nicely balanced and long. Best after 2024.

Score: 92 | December 31, 2022 | Wine Enthusiast

This well-concentrated, ripe and luxurious wine coats lush blueberry and blackberry flavors in fine-grained tannins for a rich mouthfeel. It shows excellent complexity, layering and a lingering finish.

Score: 92 | October 31, 2022 | Wine Spectator

A ripe, lush style, with flattering waves of cassis and creamed plum laced with sweet toast, light anise and apple wood. A nice underlying structure provides balance while letting the fruit hold center stage. Drink now through 2032. 1,502 cases made.

Score: 92 | June 1, 2022 | JamesSuckling.com

Aromas of blackcurrant, tobacco leaf and iodine. Full-bodied and rather juicy. The silky tannins are coated in black fruit. Nicely balanced and long. Best after 2024.

Score: 98 | April 11, 2022 | 2022 Press Democrat North Coast Wine Challenge

Best of Class and Best of Napa County

Score: 97 | March 10, 2022 | Jeb Dunnuck

The 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon Generations is one of the flagship releases and comes from three vineyards, two in St. Helena and one in Oakville. It’s 100% Cabernet and was raised in 59% new French oak. This richly textured, full-bodied, ripe, perfectly balanced 2019 gives up lots of darker currant fruits and notes of spice and green tobacco, with background oak and ultra-fine tannins. The balance is spot on, and this is another beautiful, layered, compelling Cabernet Sauvignon from winemaker Stephanie Putnam.

Score: 94 | January 1, 2022 | Vinous/Antonio Galloni

The 2019 Generations, Raymond's top bottling, is terrific. The blend, taken from sites in St. Helena and Oakville, works so well here. Pliant and silky, with notable depth, the 2019 is wonderfully expressive right out of the gate. Black cherry, plum, lavender, spice and menthol build into the voluptuous finish.

-- Antonio Galloni

Score: 93 | June 30, 2021 | Wine Enthusiast

Dark and winey, with steeped black currant and fig fruit flavors forming a muscular core, while notes of roasted alder, warm loam and licorice fill in on the finish. A hefty, solidly built wine for fans of the style. Best from 2022 through 2032. 1,750 cases made. — JM

Score: 97 | February 26, 2021 | Wine Advocate

... wafting out of the glass with the most gorgeous perfume of kirsch, blackcurrant cordial, blackberry preserves and spice cake, followed by notes of potpourri, oolong tea and unsmoked cigars. The full-bodied, decadently fruited palate delivers loads of savory accents among the juicy black and red fruit layers, supported by velvety tannins and bags of freshness, finishing long and fragrant. 

-Lisa Perrotti-Brown

Score: 98 | January 27, 2021 | JebDunnuck.com

Lots of sweet tobacco, chocolate, and earth as well as plenty of dark fruits emerge from the 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon Generations. This stunning 2018 is full-bodied, concentrated, and light on its feet, with perfect symmetry and balance. Based on 100% Cabernet Sauvignon blended from four different vineyards in St. Helena and Rutherford, aged in 52% new French oak, this powerful yet elegant Napa Valley Cabernet already offers pleasure, yet my money is on it evolving for over two decades.

Score: 94 | January 1, 2021 | Vinous/Antonio Galloni

The 2018 Generations captures the Raymond style at its best. Heady and flamboyant to the core, the 2018 boasts striking richness in its inky dark fruit, chocolate, licorice, spice, leather and menthol flavors. The 2018 is an unapologetically rich, full-throttle Cabernet, with all the elements impeccably balanced. Readers who enjoy opulent Napa Valley Cabernets will love it.

-- Antonio Galloni

Score: 92 | December 31, 2020 | Wine Spectator

This is solid, with mulled plum and blackberry fruit forming the core while notes of bay, sassafras, tobacco and alder weave around. Nice loamy tug through the finish, with the fruit keeping pace. Best from 2021 through 2031. 1,208 cases made. — JM

Score: 95 | October 29, 2018 | Wine Advocate

The deep garnet-purple colored 2016 Cabernet Sauvignon Generations (aged for 20 months in 54% new French oak) is scented of licorice, crème de cassis and mocha with underlying hints of smoked meats, tapenade, dried lavender and cardamom. Big, rich and concentrated and with firm, fine-grained tannins, it has lovely harmony and length, with minerals coming through on the finish. 1,123 cases produced.

Score: 93 | October 31, 2018 | Wine Spectator

Bold, rich and plush, with silky tannins giving this backbone and a sense of sturdiness, yet the core blackberry and black cherry flavors glide across the palate, leading to a long, seamless finish. Best from 2020 through 2032.

Score: 93 | March 27, 2018 | Vinous/Antonio Galloni

Sweet dark cherry, plum, chocolate, espresso, lavender, cloves and licorice all run through the 2015 Generations. Ample and flamboyant, with silky, plush tannins, the 2015 will be easy to drink and enjoy pretty much upon release. Most of the fruit is sourced from a vineyard in St. Helena.

Score: Gold | April 3, 2018 | San Diego International Wine & Spirits Challenge
Score: 96 | December 29, 2017 | JebDunnuck.com

Another gem from Stephanie Putnam is the 2015 Cabernet Sauvignon Generations. It offers a deep purple color as well as classic notes of blackcurrants, scorched earth, cassis, and a huge, gravely, earthy minerality that brings to mind the Graves region of Bordeaux. Full-bodied, concentrated and power, yet also fresh, lively and elegant, it’s a beautifully complete Napa Valley Cabernet that will have 2+ decades of longevity.

Score: 94-97 | December 29, 2017 | JebDunnuck.com

Tasted as a barrel sample, the 2016 Cabernet Sauvignon Generations is a ripe, sexy, full-bodied 2016 that has loads of black cherries, currants, chocolate, and roasted herb aromatics. It’s a big, rich, opulent wine that has plenty of underlying structure and tannic grip. Still, it has the purity of the 2016 vintage front and center.

Score: 92 | December 21, 2017 | JamesSuckling.com

A chewy and flavorful red with dark berry, dark chocolate and hazelnut character. Full body, round tannins and a rich finish. Old school but I like it. Needs a year or two to soften.

Score: Gold | November 21, 2017 | Grand Harvest Awards
Score: 98 | November 1, 2017 | Wine Advocate

The 2015 Cabernet Sauvignon Generations is deep garnet-purple in color with an earthy, dried herbs and scorched earth-scented nose over a core of blackberry pie and cassis with Indian spices and menthol. Full-bodied, concentrated and rich in the mouth, with firm, grainy tannins and a savory/earthy character, it finishes long with a mineral hint.

Score: 92 | October 16, 2017 | Wine Enthusiast

This is a juicy and ripe yet structured wine with tremendous grip. Coconut and plum notes meet on the palate, providing deep fruit accented with black pepper and clove. 

Score: Gold | October 3, 2017 | Sommelier Challenge International Wine & Spirits Competition
Score: Gold | June 9, 2017 | Ultimate Wine Challenge

92 points 

Excellent, Highly Recommended
Stately and elegant nose of cassis, black currant, brown spice, tobacco, and cedar. Bold, meaty tannins frame unctuous black cherry, tar, dried violet, and olive tapenade flavors and a mouth-coating, lasting finish ensues. A beautiful, classic California Cabernet.

Score: Gold | June 9, 2017 | Ultimate Wine Challenge

92 points

Excellent, Highly Recommended
Stately and elegant nose of cassis, black currant, brown spice, tobacco, and cedar. Bold, meaty tannins frame unctuous black cherry, tar, dried violet, and olive tapenade flavors and a mouth-coating, lasting finish ensues. A beautiful, classic California Cabernet.

Score: Double Gold | January 19, 2017 | American Fine Wine Competition
Score: 97 | October 26, 2016 | The Wine Advocate

The 2014 Cabernet Sauvignon Generations tends to be a mix of four vineyards, two in St. Helena, one in Oakville and one in east Napa. It is 100% Cabernet Sauvignon and was bottled unfined and unfiltered, after spending 19 months in 60% new French oak. Production is a modest 1,600+ cases. A brilliant wine from Boisset, it exhibits notes of blackberry and cassis, truffle, chocolate and spice bow. Layered and multidimensional with terrific opulence and purity, this is a “wow” wine, and while drinkable now, capable of evolving for 20 or more years.

Score: Gold | June 30, 2016 | International Women's Wine Competition
Score: 95 | October 15, 2015 | Wine Advocate

The 2013 Cabernet Sauvignon Generations is a wine that comes from both St. Helena and Oakville and is 99% Cabernet Sauvignon, with the balance Petit Verdot. This beauty showcases how much Jean Charles Boisset has improved the quality of the Raymond wines. There are 2,112 cases of this wine, which has an inky purple color and a beautiful nose of licorice, toasty oak, blackberry, cassis, spice box and forest floor. The wine has great intensity, a full-bodied mouthfeel, terrific balance, and well-integrated acidity, tannin, alcohol and wood. It should drink well for 25-30+ years. 

 

Score: 93 | May 31, 2016 | Wine Spectator

Lavishly oaked, exhibiting a strong mix of mocha, espresso and smoke notes. The fruit holds its own, with dense blueberry, blackberry, black licorice, tobacco leaf and savory roasted herb flavors, ending with a long, full, sustained aftertaste. — J.L.

Score: 90 | December 31, 2015 | Wine Enthusiast

A blend of 97% Cabernet Sauvignon and 8% Petit Verdot, this wine speaks to power, offering juicy, velvety texture around brawny components of leather, coffee and black plum. Concentrated and intense, it needs time to open in the glass before pairing with thick cuts of meat.  — V.B.

Score: 90+ | October 28, 2015 | Vinous/Antonio Galloni

Opulent and intense, the 2013 Cabernet Sauvignon Generations is quite powerful, with huge, inky fruit and searing tannins. This is an especially deep, extracted Cabernet, but it has also just been bottled. It will be interesting to see how the 2013 develops. Today, it is almost forbiddingly intense, yet there is plenty of stuffing lurking beneath. - Antonio Galloni

Score: 91-94 | October 28, 2015 | Vinous/Antonio Galloni

The 2014 Cabernet Sauvignon comes across as quite polished and nuanced, with lovely brightness, tension and energy. Dark red and bluish fruit, spices, mint, licorice and sweet spices are some of the signatures. Today, the 2014 is quite impressive. - Antonio Galloni

Score: Gold | February 9, 2015 | American Fine Wine Competition
Score: 92 | November 1, 2014 | Wine Advocate

The outstanding 2012 Cabernet Sauvignon Generations is a blend of 97% Cabernet Sauvignon and 3% Petit Verdot. It reveals a dense purple color as well as lots of licorice, blackcurrant, tobacco leaf and crème de cassis characteristics. Opulent, full-bodied, fleshy and succulent, it should drink well for 10-15 years. – Robert Parker

Score: 95 | July 1, 2014 | Wine Enthusiast

Made from various St. Helena vineyards, with some additions from eastern Oakville, it expresses all the beauty of Napa Valley Cab. The flavors of blackberries, black currants, chocolate, licorice and smoky cedar are absolutely delicious. Yet the wine possesses structure, not the easiest to achieve with a 100% Cabernet this rich. 

Score: 90 | May 1, 2014 | JamesSuckling.com
Aromas and flavors of terracotta, walnuts and ripe fruits follow through to a full body, with soft tannins and a round-textured finish. Lovely mouthfeel in this early-drinking cab.
Score: 90 | May 1, 2014 | Steven Tanzer's International Wine Cellar
Good dark red-ruby. Sexy aromas of blackberry, mocha, coffee and minerals. Sweet, bright and classically dry, showing lovely definition and perfume to its musky blackberry and mineral flavors. Tannins are a touch dry but I like this laid-back style. Ultimately more complex than the 2010.
Score: 91-93 | May 1, 2014 | Steven Tanzer's International Wine Cellar
Bright medium ruby. High-toned, very primary aromas of blueberry, licorice and menthol. Densely packed but not yet particularly sweet, with sexy mineral lift to the black fruit flavors. The largest-scaled of these three vintages and evolving quite slowly. The fruit comes from western St. Helena and the eastern side of Oakville and includes some clone 337 for the first time.
Score: 90 | May 1, 2014 | Steven Tanzer's International Wine Cellar
Bright medium ruby. Cassis, licorice and crushed rock on the nose, lifted by a violet topnote. Suave and varietally accurate, with good inner-mouth energy and lift to the dark berry and fresh herb flavors. Finishes with serious tannins and lingering sweet berry fruit. Raymond is now under the Boisset Family Estates umbrella following its purchase by Jean-Charles Boisset in August of 2009. Boisset, who also has a major presence in Burgundy, told me he looks for refined wines--"almost in a pinot style." Philippe Melka is in charge of winemaking here.
Score: Double Gold | February 6, 2014 | American Fine Wine Competition
Score: 90-93 | October 1, 2013 | Wine Advocate
The 2012 Cabernet Sauvignon Generations looks to be the finest wine made at Raymond in many years. It boasts a deep ruby/purple color along with notes of graphite, subtle charcoal, asphalt and background oak. Deep and full-bodied with terrific fruit intensity, this beauty should drink well for 15 or more years. Much in keeping with this vintage, it is upfront and intense.
Score: 89 | October 1, 2013 | Wine Advocate
The 2010 Cabernet Sauvignon Generations is an homage to the five generations of the Raymond family that began making wines in Napa Valley in 1876. Its deep ruby/plum color is followed by abundant notes of black currants, a sweet core of fruit, medium to full body, ripe tannins and dusty, loamy notes. Enjoy this excellent Cabernet over the next 15 years.
Score: 87 | October 1, 2013 | Wine Advocate
The 2011 Cabernet Sauvignon Generations is slightly green with herbal undertones. Spicy and peppery with red and black currant fruit, soft tannin and very good balance, it’s the herbaceous character that kept my score low. Some readers may enjoy this more than I did.
Score: 95 | May 31, 2013 | Wine Spectator
Shows striking intensity, density, focus and layers of flavor, with tiers of mocha, blackberry, mineral, black licorice and melted chocolate. The finish sails on, retaining focus and persistence.
Score: 94 | May 1, 2013 | Wine Enthusiast
A flashy wine—dry and rich and dense— that manages to be drinkable now, yet also ageable. The flamboyant black currant, chocolate, spice and oak flavors are delicious, and while the tannins are pretty strong, they’re finely ground, giving the wine a nice grittiness. This blend will age well through 2020.
Score: 95 | March 13, 2013 | Wine Spectator
Shows striking intensity, density, focus and layers of flavor, with tiers of mocha, blackberry, mineral, black licorice and melted chocolate. The finish sails on, retaining focus and persistence.
Score: Double Gold | February 1, 2013 | American Fine Wine Competition