December 25, 2019 - Well passed its prime. Not the wine’s fault, just got lost in my cellar.
November 17, 2018 - Winebar [4 Whites, 8 Reds, & 4 *shared* bottles] from 11/16/18] (Vintage Wines Ltd., San Diego, CA): THANK you for sharing this, Ed! :)
N: Slightly closed; RIPE berries with toast & pyrazines, rest tough to parse
P: LM body; NICE, ALMOST swtish frt met by astringent pucker which transitions into a LONG, balanced finish with a very, VERY slight bitterness & a distinct swtness to the very, VERY fine tannins. For now & at least making its 20th, though a more experienced taster felt perhaps NOT that long. My EXC/EXC+. 90 pts WE, and the ff '06 Competition Results: Silver @ Indy Intn'l & Bronze @ S.F. Chronicle.
March 1, 2014 - mature fruit aromas. red vitamin fruit. earthy. med tannin still present. waxy fruit on the palate. leather. nuanced and easy to drink. Holding well, drink to 2017.
January 2, 2014 - Decanted for about 2 hrs, this opened up into a smooth and mature, very lovely cab.
January 13, 2013 - Served at 55 degrees. Popped and poured at dinner at home. Dark black cherry. Nose was closed at first, then opened to roses, cedar and some vanilla. Medium body. Soft, rounded, velvety. Good fruit. Notes of dark cherry, cassis and currants. Light finish. This wine has aged very nicely.
December 22, 2012 - - It's somewhat balanced with a medium/full body. Bright texture with a long finish - Was very good even though it was past its prime.
October 18, 2012 - While I agree with many of the previous notes on this wine, in my experience, Raymond Reserve cabernet always drinks reasonably well when young, but for a wine in this price category ages exceedingly well. I do not think this wine has shown its best yet, and do not expect it to for 4-5 more years. The beautifully made 1998 is just coming into a peak in the last year or 2, and I had some '93 that was still great 2 years ago. While I prefer their Rutherford Reserve, this is always a great value wine.
September 3, 2012 - Deep black cherry color. Nose of dried cherries. Medium to full body. Soft dry with well structured fruit flavors -- blackberry, cassis, black cherry and anise. Medium warm finish.
June 22, 2012 - Purchased in 12/06 and stored at 55 degrees since then. Popped and poured. Decanted into simple 1L carafe. Beautiful purple-ruby color. Rich berry flavors, esp. blackberry and some blueberry. Soft, mellow feel.
May 5, 2012 - still drinking well but in decline.