Raymond Reserve Napa Cabernet Sauvignon 2005

My current favorite. Very good characteristics. Mid palate has a 'glycerin' lightness to it. Wine is full bodied with strong oak and plum.

February 2009

Balance is what comes to mind with this very nice Napa Cab. All of the flavors blend very harmoniously, with nice fruit, juicy tannins and beautiful aromas of cherry and dark fruit.

April 2009

Very nice nose of cranberry and cherry. Pleasant enough finish. This is a very red berry fruit-forward wine, without much mid-palate. Medium to low body. Nice wine for the nose, but not for the money.

March 2009

Wine Enthusiast rating: 93

Kicks off with rich vanilla and spice aromas, which evolve into licorice, black currant, blackberry, herb, chocolate and toast flavors. Slightly tart at the end, it’s nonetheless classy and framed in lush, ripe tannins.

Other wineries comae and go. Raymond remains, offering solid Napa Valley Cab at a fair price. The '05 Reserve calls to mind the very fine 2000, but actually costs less. It's a dry, elegantly structured wine, rich in sweet fine tannins, and offering up complex, delicious flavors of freshly picked ripe blackberries, spicy cassis, baked cherry pie and smoky oak. Drink now through 2015. -Wine Enthusiast