Packed with dark chocolate, graphite and black currants, this intense and layered wine should age well for a long time, letting the firm tannins resolve and more tertiary flavors develop. Full bodied and grippy in mouthfeel, it is also broad and ripe-tasting, finishing with black fruits and mint. Best from 2028– 2040. Cellar Selection.
Raymond Vineyards Reviews
A deep well of dark-fruit flavors grounds this big but well-balanced wine as it laces fine-grained tannins between gorgeous black cherries, black currants and hints of mint and cedar. Smooth on the palate but firm enough to age, this beauty should drink best from 2026.
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.
I loved the 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon District Collection St. Helena, and this is such a sweet spot for world class Cabernet in the valley. Beautiful cassis and currant fruits, textbook tobacco, spice, and lead pencil aromatics, medium to full-bodied richness, and ultra-fine tannins all define this beauty, and while it’s already hard to resist, I see no reason it shouldn’t evolve for two decades. The balance, as well as the tannins, are spot on.
The 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon District Collection Oakville comes from the east of the valley and two separate blocks in the vineyard. It spent 19 months in 41% new French oak. Lots of tobacco, lead pencil, and both cassis and assorted currant-like fruits define the bouquet, and it’s ripe, balanced, and mouth-filling, with velvety tannins. It’s already hard to resist, but it unquestionably has 15+ years of longevity ahead of it. This is classic Oakville goodness.
The 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon District Collection Rutherford is another gem that has the charming, already approachable style that’s common from wines from Raymond, yet it also shines for its balance, mid-palate depth, and length on the finish. Lots of textbook Cabernet tobacco, earth, cassis, and spice notes emerge from the glass, and it’s another head-turning wine in the lineup that can be drunk today yet also cellared for 15 years or more.
The 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon District Collection Yountville comes from a single vineyard off State Lane and was brought up in 38% new French oak. Pretty, floral notes of sappy herbs, spring flowers, iron, chocolate, and more red fruits define the bouquet, and it’s beautifully concentrated and seamless on the palate. It’s another winner.
All the District Collection series are around 500 cases or less, and they give an incredible insight into the different appellations in the valley. Starting with the 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon District Collection Stags Leap, it has perfumed red and black fruits and tobacco notes to go with full-bodied richness and a seamless, layered texture on the palate. Stags Leap is a cooler region, and you see that in the aromatics, but this brings serious fruit on the palate without losing its sense of finesse. It’s beautifully done and will evolve for 15-20 years.
Best of Class of Varietal
Best of Class of Varietal
Best of Class Of Varietal