Raymond Vineyards recently unveiled its 1997 Generations Cabernet for Bon Appetit's Tasting Panel at New York's Smith & Wollensky. Roy Raymond, Sr. and his two sons, Roy Jr. and Walter, have been making wine for over 26 years. Says winemaker Walter Raymond, "Our goal is to provide superb, enjoyable wines, vintage after vintage."

According to Bon Appetit's Anthony Dias Blue, "We are impressed with the consistency of Raymond wines, which are strong both in good years and in vintages that are more challenging." In the case of the Generations Cabernet, featured during the luncheon alongside the 1998 Generations Chardonnay, the 1997 vintage seems to warrant particular merit. An elegant wine with aromas of berries, tobacco, currant and plum, it exhibits superb structure, making it ideal for long-term cellaring. The wine currently retails for $80.

The afternoon also featured a vertical tasting of the winery's Napa Valley Cabernet, from the 1977, 1986 and 1995 vintages. Other current releases tasted during the reception were the 2000 Napa Valley Reserve Chardonnay and the Napa Valley 1999 Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon.