Raymond Cabernet Sauvignon 2009

Raymond

Sommelier Selection Cabernet Sauvignon 2009

Bottle of Raymond
Cabernet Sauvignon 2009

Blend: Cabernet, Cabernet Franc + Merlot

California, USA

35.00 USD

The winemaking team, along with Jean-Charles Boisset hosted the blending series at Raymond with eight influential sommeliers. From this blending session, the 2009 Sommelier Selection was crafted. The blending session started with background on the individual components, and the framework for the blending exercise. Teams of two were paired together and asked to submit their preferred blends from two Napa Cabernets, one Napa Cabernet Franc, one Napa Merlot, one Sonoma Cabernet, one Sonoma Merlot, and one Lake County Cabernet. Each team crafted two favorite blends, and submitted them for review by the panel of sommeliers and the Raymond winemaking team. A blind taste test and ranking revealed the winning blend

Aromas of Herbs de Provence, black cherry, brambleberry, and tar mingle with layers of spices.

A full-bodied elegant wine brimming with blackberry, cherry and cassis flavors. The Cabernet blend is comprised of fruit from the Napa Valley, Sonoma County, and Lake County. Napa Valley is the backbone of the blend, with its terroir providing the fullest expression of black fruits and integrated tannins; Sonoma County’s fog influence produces grapes that give the wine structure, balance and acidity; Lake County’s growing season is short, making for red, jammy wines that are easy to enjoy.

Ideal to pair with a fine steak.  (boissetfamilyestates.com)

It was February 14th and we all know what that means.  I made reservations at 622 North Main Street for dinner.  I wasn't aware there was going to be a special dinner menu before hand and was surprised to find that was actually the case when we got there.  However, after the initial shock of the price wore off I decided to just go with it.  It's not every day we do this kind of thing.  So to go along with our [Marie and myself] five course meal I ordered the Raymond Sommelier Selection Cabernet Sauvignon.  I thought that it might make a good pairing with the lamb chops served over mashed potatoes that I had, and Marie's rib-eye medallions served over mashed potatoes and topped by lobster and shrimp.  

The nose had a fairly dry not overly sweet or fruity feeling although I did imagine it to be a very full bodied and almost silky kind of wine.  There were hints of dark cherry, oak and some vanilla coming through on the end.  There was a bit of a bite from the alcohol and and fairly present tannic component to it on first try but over the course of the meal it mellowed out a lot and became much more silky/velvety.  The alcohol heat that it had was mainly present from the mid-pallet through the finish but was actually, at least for me, a nice effect that held its own against the lamb.  The dark cherry was coming though very strongly in the beginning then turned more to an oak and vanilla finish.  It was a delightful wine to have a glass of and I was very taken aback by the change it went thought in the small amount of time it was open and out in my glass.