WINEMAKER NOTES
An aromatic bouquet of blueberry, currant and hints of violet greet the nose in this beautiful 2019 R|Collection Merlot. Black cherry, fig and toasted almond flavors are balanced by a touch of earthiness. The plush mouthfeel leads to structed tannins and a satisfying finish.
ABOUT THE VINTAGE
Heavy spring rains enriched the soils and delayed bud break by a few weeks. A heat spike in June, followed by warm weather, brought even veraison throughout the vineyards. A cooling trend and touch of rain in mid-September created ideal conditions for the 2019 harvest which is considered a
near-perfect vintage.
In the Vineyard
The R Collection Merlot is sourced from the finest vineyards throughout California, with each area adding a unique layer into the overall taste profile. Minimally intrusive winemaking techniques allow the true California terroir to shine through in every glass poured and bottle enjoyed.
About Raymond Vineyards
The Raymond family arrived in Napa Valley in 1933 and became connected to the Beringer family via marriage in 1936. Roy worked as winemaker for Beringer from 1933-1970, when in 1970, he and his two sons set out on their own with the 90-acre estate property in Rutherford where the winery is located. They released their first commercial wine under the Raymond Vineyards label in 1974 and never looked back. Like all great American family stories, the Raymonds put hard work and a pioneering spirit into their winery. Their dedication has helped make Raymond Vineyards a classic Napa Valley icon.
Their first vintage crush in 1974 was emblematic of the early Napa Valley harvests: the family worked together side-by-side caring for every facet of the winery – hospitality to farming, fermentation, bottling and sales.
The family quickly earned acclaim for their elegant wines with a beautiful balance of finesse, power and complexity. Five generations of the Raymond family imbued the winery with a sense of its deep roots in the Napa Valley and a commitment to honor those roots, the estate and the family tradition through every wine produced.
Raymond’s 90-acre estate vineyards in Rutherford and St. Helena are certified organic and Biodynamic®, holistic farming methods that are hallmarks of Boisset family properties worldwide, including DeLoach Vineyards in Sonoma’s Russian River Valley. In addition to CCOF and Demeter Biodynamic, the Raymond vineyards are also certified by Napa Green, Fish Friendly Farming and the California Sustainable Winegrowing Alliance.
