Raymond Vineyards Reviews

Another impressive 100% Cabernet Sauvignon from this grouping is the 2014 Cabernet Sauvignon District Collection St. Helena, which was aged 19 months in 50% new French casks and bottled unfined and unfiltered. Where the Oakville is a tiny cuvée of only 186 cases, this one represents 467. Terrific blackcurrant and black cherry fruit soar from the glass with loamy soil undertones. The wine has more flesh, fat and succulence, a full-bodied mouthfeel and an easygoing and sexy texture and finish. It is a classic 2014 and best drunk over the next 15+ years.

The 2014 Cabernet Sauvignon District Collection Rutherford represents 738 cases, and this is truly a remarkable wine and probably the best Raymond wine in many a year. Aged 19 months in 55% new French oak and bottled unfined and unfiltered, this seamless classic has a fragrant blackberry and cassis-scented nose, a touch of licorice, creosote and incense, Asian spice, and subtle background oak that make this a juicy, dense wine with moderate tannin, but with fabulous mouthfeel and intensity. This should drink well for 20-25 or more years.

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.