2005 Raymond Vineyard & Cellar Rutherford Merlot

Mission Codename: The Lords and Ladies of Rutherford

Operative: Agent White

Objective: Infiltrate Raymond Vineyards and acquire their exceptional Rutherford Merlot.

Mission Status: Accomplished!

Current Winery: Raymond Vineyard & Cellar

Wine Subject: 2005 Rutherford Merlot

Winemaker: Walter Raymond

Backgrounder: Raymond Vineyards, located in Napa Valley’s Rutherford AVA was founded in 1971, by one of America’s first-families of wine, the Raymond family. In the United States, ‘multi-generational’ in wine-making usually means two or three generations have been involved in crafting wines. Kristi Raymond, whose great grandfather was wine-making pioneer, Jacob Beringer, is a fifth generation winemaker and head of wine-making for Raymond today.

The Rutherford AVA is among the most famous names in the valley and is primarily know for its exceptional Merlot. Located just south of St. Helena, Raymond’s slogan is Powerful Wines – Deep Roots. After you taste this wine, you’ll understand that its more than a slogan, its a way of life.

Wine Spies Tasting Profile:

Look – Dark purple with garnet and ruby tints that shine through the dark but clear core. The color remains deep along the edges and when swirled, evenly spaced thin legs streak down the side of the glass.

Smell – Medium in intensity with classic Merlot aromas of rich red and black fruit layered over toasted oak, subtle herbal and floral hints, dark chocolate, spice, vanilla and dark minerals.

Feel – Soft and round, this full-bodied classic is rich and chewy with mouth coating tannins and well balanced acidity. The finely grained textured tannins cling to the tip of the tongue and linger long into the finish.

Taste – Rich and juicy red and black fruit including blackberry and both black and red cherry and currants are integrated with toasted oak and vanilla. Soft herbal, floral and spice notes layer with dark chocolate cocoa powder and hints of dusty minerality.

Finish – The wine finishes long and clean with its classic Rutherford minerality and structure leading the way and supporting its rich fruit and other complex flavors making he mouth yearn for another sip.

Conclusion – The 2005 Raymond Vineyard & Cellar Rutherford Merlot shows exceptional depth and purity of its classic Rutherford fruit. This Merlot (with 25% Cabernet Sauvignon blended in) will instantly appeal to lovers of both Merlot and Cabernet. Rich fruit, complex layers of aromas and flavors that linger long into the finish, a structure that holds on tight, this wine is quite memorable.

Mission Report:

WINEMAKER INTEL BRIEFING DOSSIER

SUBJECT: Walter Raymond

DATE OF BIRTH: March 1943

PLACE OF BIRTH: St. Helena, California – It’s true, I am the 4th generation in my family to make wine in Napa Valley!

WINE EDUCATION: Mostly scraped knees, but I also attended Cal Poly in SLO and studied business.

CALIFORNIA WINE JOB BRIEF: I got my start in the family business at Beringer when I was just a kid. I rejoined the business after college and made wine at Beringer until we started Raymond Vineyard & Cellar in 1970. We bought 90 acres and had to plant vineyard, so our first harvest was in 1974.

WINEMAKING PHILOSOPHY: Generally speaking I believe that great wines start in the vineyard. Location, soil type and vine health are all critical to growing quality fruit. After that the winemaking is easy!

SIGNATURE VARIETAL: Cabernet Sauvignon

CAREER HIGHLIGHT: Starting Raymond Vineyard & Cellar in 1970 with my family – my parents, my wife and children and my brother and his family.

CAREER HIGHLIGHT: Having the 5th generation join the family business

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WINEMAKER INTERVIEW

AGENT RED: Greetings, Walter. What a pleasure it is to meet with you today! We are thrilled to be showing your . Thanks so much for taking some time to answer questions for our Operatives today.

WALTER: Thank you for sharing our Rutherford Merlot with your favorite consumers!

RED: Was there a specific experience in your life that inspired your love of wine?

WALTER: I am one of the lucky ones – I grew up in the business, so it was early exposure that inspired me. I joke around that I am unemployable outside the industry! RED: And where did you learn the most about winemaking?

WALTER: On the job really. Every vintage is different and presents new opportunities and challenges. The vintners in Napa really work together, share information and help each other make better wines – it is a fun way to learn. RED: What is your winemaking style or philosophy?

WALTER: Well, I love to plan, prepare and enjoy meals with my family – and wine is a key ingredient at our table. So, I would say I have tended to make wines in a style that pairs very well with food – fruit driven and full bodied, with balanced tannins and oak. RED: What wine or winemaker has most influenced your winemaking style?

WALTER: I do not have an “influential” story for you! I have found that making wines year after year from the same vineyards has had the biggest influence on my winemaking style – you learn from the vineyard and build expectations and make winemaking decisions based on experience and knowing what flavors you are trying to get from each lot.

RED: How long have you been making wine?

WALTER: 45 years – and that is amazing since I am still in my 30’s! I got my start at Beringer as a teenager and we are just finishing up my 36th harvest as winemaker at Raymond.

RED: Who do you make wine for?

WALTER: I would have to say I make it for the consumers that have enjoyed our wines for years – we have a style that you can taste all the way back to our 1974 vintage – balanced wines that pair very well with food!

RED: Tell me, what makes the Napa Valley, and Rutherford so special?

WALTER: Napa Valley, and the Rutherford Appellation in particular, has amazing soil and very consistent weather for growing wine grapes year in and year out. RED: What is one piece of advice that you would give to someone that is considering a career as a winemaker?

WALTER: While education is important, on the job experience at wineries that produce the varietals you are interested in making and drinking!

RED: What is occupying your time at the winery these days?

WALTER: We are just wrapping up harvest today – the next month will involve finishing up fermentations and getting our wines into barrels.

RED: Please tell me a little bit about the wine we are featuring today

WALTER: The Merlot from our Rutherford estate is a personal favorite – it is very full bodied and lush, and pairs really well with food.

RED: What is your favorite pairing with today’s wine?

WALTER: Well my favorite is a juicy grilled steak – but bbq’d ribs or braised meats are always great too!

RED:What is your favorite ‘everyday’ or table wine?

WALTER: Sauvignon Blanc is a favorite in my house, but bubbly is very popular!

RED: How would you recommend that people approach your wines, or wine in general?

WALTER: Relax and enjoy them – don’t worry about descriptions or ratings. Wine is personal, so if you like what you are tasting don’t let someone tell you it isn’t good! Just drink it!

RED: Great advice! If you could choose any one wine to drink (regardless of price or availability), what would it be?

WALTER: Something with bubbles!

RED: What is the one question that I should have asked you, and what is your answer to that question?

WALTER: Question: What do you do when you are not making wine? Answer: I love to travel with my wife and if I’m home, I enjoying kicking back in my Lazy Boy and raiding the fridge!

RED: Thank you so much for your time. We learned a lot about you today – and about your wine. Keep up the great work, we are big fans!

WALTER: Thank you!

Wine Spies Vineyard Check:

The location of the Raymond Vineyards and Cellars can be seen in this satellite photo.