Beringer Vineyards
Private Reserve Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
Napa Valley, California, USA
Ruby, ripe, bright fruit florals. Blackberries, black raspberries, black plum, plum, boysenberries, dark cherries, haunting blue fruits, poached strawberries, dry cranberries, black tea with mid fruit, anise, mid to dark spice for days, some pepper, cinnamon stick, nutmeg, vanilla, light, dark raisins, older tobacco, new leather, light graphite, crushed rocks/limestone, dry top soil, dark rich soil with dry leaves, chewy leather, slight mint, dry herbs, fresh to slightly withering red, dark, blue florals framed in violets. Acidity is magnificence, well structured, balanced, 50-50 fruit and soft earth finish that lasts minutes.
Ruby, ripe, bright fruit florals. Blackberries, black raspberries, black plum, plum, boysenberries, dark cherries, haunting blue fruits, poached strawberries, dry cranberries, black tea with mid fruit, anise, mid to dark spice for days, some pepper, cinnamon stick, nutmeg, vanilla, light, dark raisins, older tobacco, new leather, light graphite, crushed rocks/limestone, dry top soil, dark rich soil with dry leaves, chewy leather, slight mint, dry herbs, fresh to slightly withering red, dark, blue florals framed in violets. Acidity is magnificence, well structured, balanced, 50-50 fruit and soft earth finish that lasts minutes.
Jul 16th, 2023
I’ve had a fair amount of either 5-7yr old PR or 20-30yr old PR, but never one in-between. I was pleasantly surprised how enjoyable this was, and seems to be drinking at peak (but certainly not fading, at least this example).
Pop and pour. Deep purple with no fading. Couldn’t believe how Bordeaux-esque this smelled! Wow. Kiss of brett to it, just enough to make it interesting. Brambly black fruits, leather, herbs de Provence, vanilla pipe tobacco too. Supremely well balanced on the palate…baked dark fruits in a dense but tantalizingly elegant profile. Integrated oak in the background. Sweet tannin on the finish. Followed over two days and stayed strong. If I could find more of these at a good price, I’d jump on them.
I’ve had a fair amount of either 5-7yr old PR or 20-30yr old PR, but never one in-between. I was pleasantly surprised how enjoyable this was, and seems to be drinking at peak (but certainly not fading, at least this example).
Pop and pour. Deep purple with no fading. Couldn’t believe how Bordeaux-esque this smelled! Wow. Kiss of brett to it, just enough to make it interesting. Brambly black fruits, leather, herbs de Provence, vanilla pipe tobacco too. Supremely well balanced on the palate…baked dark fruits in a dense but tantalizingly elegant profile. Integrated oak in the background. Sweet tannin on the finish. Followed over two days and stayed strong. If I could find more of these at a good price, I’d jump on them.
14.6% ABV.
Please don’t let my modest rating deter you from seeking this out. It simply isn’t my preferred style of Napa CS any longer and I primarily use Delectable for my own internal notes.
14.6% ABV.
Please don’t let my modest rating deter you from seeking this out. It simply isn’t my preferred style of Napa CS any longer and I primarily use Delectable for my own internal notes.
WOW... Beringer Private Reserve. This has another 15 years of life in it. Can’t believe this drinking so nicely. Totally surprised!!
WOW... Beringer Private Reserve. This has another 15 years of life in it. Can’t believe this drinking so nicely. Totally surprised!!
Sep 2nd, 2018
Holding up well with slight bottle variation.
Holding up well with slight bottle variation.
May 27th, 2018Purple violet color with aromatic and very appealing black cherry, blackberry, cassis, licorice, violet, and a bit of roast coffee aromas. On the palate it's harmonious, focused, and long with a supple texture with firm tannins and blackberry, cassis, red currant, flavors with a bit of dark chocolate. Long finish Still young but showing the promise of what's to come; 97% Cabernet Sauvignon, 3% Cabernet Franc.
Purple violet color with aromatic and very appealing black cherry, blackberry, cassis, licorice, violet, and a bit of roast coffee aromas. On the palate it's harmonious, focused, and long with a supple texture with firm tannins and blackberry, cassis, red currant, flavors with a bit of dark chocolate. Long finish Still young but showing the promise of what's to come; 97% Cabernet Sauvignon, 3% Cabernet Franc.
2 people found it helpfulDec 26th, 2015
One of the finest Private Reserves made over the last two decades, this phenomenal wine is obviously still an infant in terms of development, but it exhibits a dense purple color as well as an extraordinary nose of blackberries, white chocolate, licorice, tobacco leaf, smoky barbecue, charcoal and a burning ember-like note reminiscent of a Graves from Bordeaux.
One of the finest Private Reserves made over the last two decades, this phenomenal wine is obviously still an infant in terms of development, but it exhibits a dense purple color as well as an extraordinary nose of blackberries, white chocolate, licorice, tobacco leaf, smoky barbecue, charcoal and a burning ember-like note reminiscent of a Graves from Bordeaux.
1 person found it helpfulMar 28th, 2021
Almost instantly - poof - an empty bottle.
Almost instantly - poof - an empty bottle.
1 person found it helpfulMar 25th, 2016
Tasted from 375mL. Really a nice bottle. Nuanced, balanced, delicious.
Tasted from 375mL. Really a nice bottle. Nuanced, balanced, delicious.
1 person found it helpfulNov 6th, 2014