Raymond Reserve Selection Cabernet Sauvignon 2015

Professional Ratings

• 95 Decanter
  High octane style but full of purpose and energy. The nose rings the varietal bell loud and clear with an impressive palate chock-full of contrasting notes of blackcurrant cordial, chocolate, earth and toffee, the finish lengthened by precisely balanced tannins. A lovely food wine.
• 92 Wine Spectator
  Deep and dense, well-centered on rich dark berry, licorice, herb, dill, cedar and road tar flavors. Though firmly tannic, this also has a measure of finesse and grace. Best from 2020 through 2030
• 91 Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
  Medium to deep garnet-purple colored, the 2015 Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley Reserve has vague cassis and earthy scents. With chewy tannins, nice texture and freshness to match the fruit, it's not bad at all.
• 91 James Suckling
  A juicy and fruity wine with brambleberry and chocolate. Some hazelnut. Medium to full body. Silky texture. Drink now or hold.
• 91 Jeb Dunnuck
  The 2015 Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley Reserve is a terrific value that should be snatched up by readers. Giving up lots of classic Cabernet cassis and currant fruit, plenty of tobacco and earth, medium to full-bodied richness, and a great mid-palate, drink this impressive, balanced, classically style Cabernet anytime over the coming decade.
• 91 Wine & Spirits
  Recently, during a meeting of young Napa Valley winemakers at Larkmead, the discussion turned to the price of cabernet grapes and how it was becoming increasingly difficult to offer a varietally labeled cabernet from Napa Valley at a price that might encourage new wine drinkers to buy it. The least expensive cabernet anyone in the room had on offer was $60. So I was interested to taste this $45 wine and find a fresh, generous, full-on cabernet sauvignon. It grows at Raymond’s organically farmed vineyards in Rutherford and includes some purchased fruit from Calistoga and Coombsville. Yes, it’s a little heady and a touch sweet, but there’s plenty of cracked-black-pepper and cardamom spice to dust the fruit in the end. And if the tough tannins yield to a softer, chocolatey note, they still hold their shape, open and ready for grilled pork.
• 90 Wine Enthusiast
  Labelled in velvet, the thick dense texture of this wine is equally soft and richly built, with substantial tannin and oak on display. Bright red cherry and cassis are interwoven between the powerful ripeness.