95
Points
Technical info
Alcohol
15.0%
Varietal
Cabernet Sauvignon
Blend
100% Cabernet Sauvignon
Appellation
Napa
Oak treatment
100% French Oak (100% new)
Winemaking
Beringer’s reserve vineyards offer Cabernet Sauvignon of such quality that a minimalist approach to winemaking best preserves the integrity of each site’s terroir expression. Each parcel is vinified separately and monitored carefully from the moment the fruit comes into the winery at harvest. Tailored pump-over techniques are used for optimal extraction, and the wine is aged in hand-selected, custom-toasted barrels of French oak. This 2017 Bancroft Ranch Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon aged for 20 months in 100% French oak barrels (50% new)
Vintage
The 2017 vintage in the Napa Valley was lower yielding but high in quality. The region enjoyed much needed rain during the winter months ending the drought, followed by a mild spring resulting in uniform flowering and fruit set. A variable summer was accentuated by a short period of warmer than usual temperatures during Labor Day weekend but the cooler weather that followed allowed sugar levels to return to normal and extend hang time for Cabernet Sauvignon. The lower yield of small-berried grapes resulted in wines that show tremendous concentration of flavors, highly saturated color, and complexity. The grapes for the blend were harvested October 17 and ended October 21.
Vineyards
Howell Mountain rises just to the northeast of Beringer's winery in St. Helena, and Bancroft Ranch lies at an elevation of 1,800 feet on its western slope. The soil here --gritty white tuff of volcanic origin --is shallow, infertile and extremely well drained. The vines produce small, intensely flavored berries with powerful, concentrated fruit flavors and thick skins that yield robust tannins.
