94
Points
Technical info
Alcohol
13.8%
Varietal
Cabernet Sauvignon
Appellation
Napa Valley
Oak treatment
Aged 18 months in 100% French oak (30% new)
Winemaking
Great care was taken to retain the individual expressions of each of the vineyards in the blend by keeping each lot separate throughout fermentation and aging. This has become tradition for Beringer Cabernets, and allows flexibility from a broad array of aromatic, flavor and structural components at blending time. After fermentation the lots were aged in 30 percent new French oak barrels for 18 months. Each lot was monitored closely and tasted regularly to ensure their development individually and to formulate how best to marry the lots for the final blend.
Vintage
The first half of the 2022 harvest started calm and early, with healthy vineyards offering fruit with bright acidity, fruit-forward flavors, and strong yields for white varietals and thin-skinned reds, like Pinot Noir. Then, California experienced a historic heat wave in early September that ramped up the pace of ripening, compelling a fast and furious harvest as winemakers worked to pick fruit at its best quality. Fortunately, strong vines and proactive irrigation helped many vineyards survive the heat. The second half was much more predictable with cooler temperatures through October, so that later-ripening red varieties, such as Malbec, could develop their full flavor and tannin profile. The grapes for the blend were harvested between September 12 – October 18, 2022.
Vineyards
Bancroft Ranch and Steinhauer Ranches from Howell Mtn (74%) bring structure and fragrant berry fruit flavors. We round out the blend with 24% St. Helena fruit from our Home and Chabot vineyards showing lusciousness and approachability. This Cabernet Sauvignon includes touches of Merlot, Malbec and Petit Verdot for added complexity.
