2001 has been hailed as an excellent year for CA cabs. Raymond
reserve is a "one of many" production better grade cabs that probably
is really helped by having a lot of good grapes around.

The columbia crest is from WA. Although some years the quality of CA
& WA coincide, frequently the quality does not. Sort of like Tuscany
and Piedmont, or Bordeau and Burgundy and Alsace, or even Burgundy and
piedmont. For example '99 is considered a bust in CA. WA had a good
year.

I have not seen a major taster's ratings of WA wines..


On 16 Aug 2005 07:30:56 -0700, wrote:

>I am fairly new to cabs and Have tried a couple I liked and a couple I
>didn't. The ones I liked where a Columbia Crest 2001 reserve and a
>Raymond 2001 reserve. Can't remember the names of the ones I didn't
>like.
>
>My question, is it just a coincidence that the 2 I liked where 2001 or
>is this a particularly good year for cabs? I was under the impression,
>maybe incorrectly so, that cabs where better with age. Is this not
>true?
>
>Any way, the 2 I listed where very good. Any recomendations on similar
>cabs?
>
>
>Thanks,
>
>Alan