Winery
of the Week: Raymond Vineyards - Rutherford
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 selection:
Click
on labels to enlarge |
Raymond
2012 "District Collection" Cabernet Sauvignon
Winery:
Raymond Vineyards
Grape(s): 100% Cabernet Sauvignon
Region: Rutherford, Napa Valley, Ca
Year:
2012
Special Designation: n/a
Farming Certification:
n/a
Price: 80-85
Review:
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
Winery:
Raymond Vineyards
Grape(s): 100% Merlot
Region: Rutherford, Napa Valley, Ca
Year:
2012
Special Designation: n/a
Farming Certification:
n/a
Price: 60-65
Review:
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
Winery:
Raymond Vineyards
Grape(s): 100% Chardonnay
Region: Napa Valley, Ca
Year:
2013
Special Designation: n/a
Farming Certification:
n/a
Price: 15-20
Review:
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.
It's 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
Winery:
Raymond Vineyards
Grape(s): 100% Sauvignon Blanc
Region: Napa Valley, Ca
Year:
2013
Special Designation: n/a
Farming Certification:
n/a
Price: 15-20
Review:
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
Winery:
Raymond Vineyards
Grape(s): 95% Cabernet Sauvignon, 3%
Petit Verdot, & 2% Petite Sirah
Region: Napa Valley, Ca
Year:
2012
Special Designation: n/a
Farming Certification:
n/a
Price: 35-40
Review:
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
Winery:
Raymond Vineyards
Grape(s): 85% Merlot & 15% Cabernet
Sauvignon
Region: Napa Valley, Ca
Year:
2012
Special Designation: n/a
Farming Certification:
n/a
Price: 20-25
Review:
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 |
Note:
Wines rated with a "+" have not yet reached their
peak quality but will do so over the next few years
By
Jason Barlow
96
— 100 |
Spectacular |
92
— 95 |
Outstanding |
89
— 91 |
Great |
85
— 88 |
Good |
81
— 84 |
Solid |
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