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.
A cool spring with rain during the critical period of berry set reduced the yield of Cabernet Sauvignon in this vintage, but warmer than normal temperatures toward the end of summer allowed for optimal ripening and concentration of flavors during a prolonged harvest season. Assembled from wines vinified and aged separately from Bancroft Ranch, Tre Colline vineyard on Howell Mountain and St. Helena Home Vineyard, the blend also includes 3 percent Cabernet Franc from Bancroft Ranch. A mouthfilling wine with bright cherry fruit flavors and Napa Valley Cabernet’s characteristic hint of olives and spice, this Private Reserve is showing very much like the 1986 vintage did at this time in its evolution but is even richer, with more fruit in the foreground.
PR Cab components: 62% Bancroft Ranch, 24% St. Helena Home, 11% Tre Colline, 2% Bancroft Cabernet Franc, 1% Tre Colline Cabernet Franc
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.
Tobacco, deep, dark syrup, black fruit, ripe cherries, coco, dried herbs and spice
Nice acid balance and firm tannins
Lots of blackberry, cherry and cherry cola
Mushroom at the beginning, then toffee, candy character
1977 
