The Inaugural R Collection Cabernet Sauvignon, California 2023

Crafted with premium grapes from top vineyards throughout California, The Inaugural R Collection Cabernet Sauvignon is a ripe, fruit-forward expression made by some serious experts in the wine business.

First, there’s the winery’s dynamic owner, Jean-Charles Boisset, winner of Wine Enthusiast’s 2024 “Person of the Year” Wine Star Award, who “seems to be pulling out all the stops to create something very special,” according to top critic Robert Parker.

Then, there’s the cellar team of three absolute wine industry juggernauts: Stephanie Putnam, the former star winemaker of Far Niente, a famous Napa estate whose Cabs fetch hundreds of dollars a bottle; Philippe Melka, once named one of the top nine wine consultants in the world (also by Robert Parker); and Thane Knutson, whose resume includes time at Napa pioneer, Hess Collection Winery.

This bottling can be credited to Stephanie, who leads the show as Raymond’s vice president of winemaking. Previous releases have a lengthy list of top gold medals, including a double-gold, “Best-of-Class” win at the New Orleans International Wine Awards. And this equally classy release is sure to follow in its footsteps.

You can look forward to a ripe core of cherry and plum flavors, notes of white pepper and a long, smooth finish. It makes for a showstopping dinnertime centerpiece or the perfect pour to share with loved ones.