Generations Cabernet Sauvignon Reviews

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.

... 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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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. 

 

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. 

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.

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.