Reviews

This is firm and well-structured with a tight core of cear-laced dried currant, black licorice, road tar and mocha. Ends with gripping tannins. - JL

This wine is a blend of fruit from two sites on the valley floor in Rutherford-- blocks 1 and 2 at the Raymond estate as well as the Heitz Trailside Vineyards between the Silverado Trail and Conn Creek. The interaction of the fruit and the French oak is impressive, to the fact that more than 90 percent of the barrels are second use-- allowing the dynamic Rutherford tannins to stand firm. The fruit is refined, in a strawberry, raspberry, cranberry mode that freshens the finish. Delicious now with roasted hen-of-the-woods mushrooms next to a steak. (500 cases)

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.

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.

An ambitious Cabernet that’s part of Raymond’s program of highlighting individual appellations within Napa Valley. This wine is delicious, exhibiting rich, deep flavors of black currants with tasteful accents of oak. While it’s fine to drink now, the tannins and long finish suggest up to eight years in the cellar will be beneficial.

Cellar Selection. Edgy tannins are the star in this young Cabernet. They give the wine a gritty feeling, making it hard to embrace the ripe blackberry, black cherry and currant flavors. The dryness, fine acidity and overall balance suggest this will have no trouble negotiating the next 10 years in the cellar.

Infused with a limestone tautness, this red exudes cherry, mineral and spice flavors on an athletic frame. Licorice and vanilla accents grace the lingering finish, along with a sweet black cherry note. Almost seamless now, this should only get better. Shows great tension and interplay of the elements. Best from 2015 through 2032.

Silky and elegant, wearing its sweet fruit and floral notes with style and grace. Firmly structured, but all the components are in the right.

This is silky and elegant, wearing its sweet fruit and floral notes with style and grace. Firmly structured, but all the components are in the right proportion, with fine length. This just needs time. Best from 2014 through 2025.

This is pure and focused, exhibiting black currant, cherry, violet, mineral and spice flavors married to a firm, vibrant structure. The black currant and violet notes hold true on the finish, as this does not want to quit. Best from 2014 through 2028.—B.S.