In an effort to provide our collectors with up to date information on our wines, Beringer Chief Winemaker Laurie Hook is delighted to share regular updated tasting notes on Private Reserve Cabernet.
Rains plagued the Napa Valley in March and April and then again in September, but careful selection of the grapes finally harvested during the October Indian Summer redeemed the vintage. The Private Reserve included wines from the Chabot, State Lane, St. Helena Home and Bancroft Ranch vineyards. The blend also included 3 percent Cabernet Franc from Bancroft, and for the first and only time to date, 1 percent of Bancroft Merlot. The wine shows youthful, accessible fruit; it is similar to the 1984 Private Reserve but with more tannins, which are soft and mouth-coating, supporting the sweet red fruit flavors.
PR Cab components: 35% Chabot, 25% Bancroft Ranch, 22% St. Helena Home, 18% State Lane
Winemaster Emeritus, Ed Sbragia, Chief Winemaker, Laurie Hook and Assistant Winemaker, Chris Louton share their thoughts as they taste through the Beringer Retrospective. This is a great opportunity to hear what the winemakers say today about the older vintage wines.
1977 
