Raymond Vineyards was founded in 1970 as a 90-acre estate in Rutherford, making it one of the Napa Valley’s pioneers. Today, the winery’s property comprises 300 acres in Rutherford, St. Helena and Jameson Canyon. They still pay homage to the site of the Raymond’s founding with their “Rutherford District Collection” wines but seek to highlight all the estate’s vineyards with their “Reserve Selection” bottles. Here’s what our tasting panel thought about each of these offerings:
Raymond 2012 “District Collection” Cabernet Sauvignon
Grape(s): 100% Cabernet Sauvignon
Region: Rutherford, Napa Valley
Price: 80-85
Tasting Notes:
Blackberry, plum, and cassis aromas interweave with allusions of mocha, sweet spice, and oak on the nose. Flavors of bramble fruits, black cherries, and currants are accented by notes of dark chocolate, espresso, and minerals on the palate. A rich, opulent Cab with fine tannins, it speaks to the prestige of Rutherford from sip to finish. 800 cases produced.
Rating: 91
Raymond 2012 “District Collection” Merlot
Grape(s): 100% Merlot
Region: Rutherford, Napa Valley
Price: 60-65
Tasting Notes:
Aromas of boysenberries, raspberries, and cherries coalesce with highlights of baking spice, earth, and vanilla on the nose. Blackberry, cherry, and raspberry flavors are complicated by whispers of coffee, minerals, and clove on the palate. Lush with elegant tannins, this is a Merlot worthy of a special occasion. 250 cases were made.
Rating: 91
Raymond 2013 “Reserve Selection” Chardonnay
Grape(s): 100% Chardonnay
Region: Napa Valley, Ca
Price: 15-20
Tasting Notes:
Fragrances of pear, apple, and pineapple come together with traces of creamy oak and white blossoms on the nose. Flavors of pear, passion fruit, and honeydew coalesce with hints of buttery oak and citrus flowers on the palate. Its lush mouth-feel and welcoming acidity will find plenty of fans, especially at a price that’s under $20 a bottle. About 25,000 cases produced.
Rating: 89
Raymond 2013 “Reserve Selection” Sauvignon Blanc
Grape(s): 100% Sauvignon Blanc
Region: Napa Valley, Ca
Price: 15-20
Tasting Notes:
A bouquet of key lime, sweet peach, passion fruit and minerals rise up from a glass. The palate offers up flavors of peach, tropical and citrus fruits, along side accents of limestone and wild grass. With an inviting acidity and creamy mouth-feel, a bottle will pair quite nicely with your favorite shellfish. 7,452 cases were made.
Rating: 89
Raymond 2012 “Reserve Selection” Cabernet Sauvignon
Grape(s): 95% Cabernet Sauvignon, 3% Petit Verdot, & 2% Petite Sirah
Region: Napa Valley, Ca
Price: 35-40
Tasting Notes:
Notes of blackberries, plums, and currants mingle with suggestions of smoky oak and cocoa on the nose. With a sip, flavors of blackberry, cherry, and cassis emerge on the palate flowing into inklings of toasty oak, mocha, and minerals. Dusty tannins and ample dark fruit make this a ideal choice to enjoy with roast beef. About 25,000 cases were made.
Rating: 90
Raymond 2012 “Reserve Selection” Merlot
Grape(s): 85% Merlot & 15% Cabernet Sauvignon
Region: Napa Valley, Ca
Price: 20-25
Tasting Notes:
Aromatics of blackberries, cherries, and currants meld with suggestions of cedar and earth on the nose. A sip reveals flavors of black currant, blueberry, and black cherry that unfold into nuances of floral oak, minerals, and anise on the palate. A dark Merlot with rich tannins, open a bottle with hamburgers fresh from the grill. About 15,000 cases produced.
Rating: 88