98
Points
Technical info
Alcohol
14.7%
Varietal
Cabernet Sauvignon
Blend
93% Cabernet Sauvignon, 4% Petit Verdot, & 3% Malbec
Appellation
Napa Valley
Oak treatment
Aged 21 months in new French oak (76% new)
Winemaking
Our Beringer reserve vineyards consistently yield Cabernet Sauvignon of remarkable character and distinction, inspiring a winemaking style rooted in restraint, which has long defined our approach and attention towards this special blend. Each vineyard lot is vinified separately and guided with meticulous care from harvest through élevage, allowing the unique voice and terroir of every site to sing in harmony with one another, crafting an exceptional Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon. Tailored pump-over techniques are used for optimal color and flavor extraction with the grape skins, and then the wine is aged in select barrels of French Oak (76% new) for 21 months before the final blend is assembled.
Vintage
The 2023 harvest proved to be another unusual one, with a mild growing season allowing the vines to progress at a leisurely pace. The slow and steady ripening resulted in an unprecedented late harvest, spanning from mid-September to the beginning of November. Adding to the uniqueness was the simultaneous ripening of Chardonnay and Cabernet grapes. This convergence led to bustling days in the winery, but our dedicated cellar team, with the support of our harvest interns, played a crucial role in overcoming the challenges. Their commitment and hard work contributed significantly to ensuring the success of this exceptional vintage. Despite the challenges posed by the late and compressed harvest season, the mild weather contributed to the production of exceptionally fresh wines. These wines are characterized by excellent acidities, vibrant colors, and ideal tannins. The grapes for the blend were harvested between October 5 - 30, 2023.
Vineyards
The 2023 Private Reserve is primarily crafted from Cabernet Sauvignon, sourced from premium appellations within Napa Valley. Our Howell Mountain vineyards shine in this blend – most notably Steinhauer Ranch and Bancroft Ranch - which contribute structure and depth. Our estate vineyards in St. Helena - Home Vineyard and Chabot Vineyard - provide a core of dark red berry fruit, supported by a lifted floral bouquet, as well as round, rich character and warmth. Additional fruit is sourced from Borrow Pit Vineyard, at Gamble Ranch in Oakville, which provides beautiful blue and black fruit components and a rich texture, a signature of the Oakville AVA. The blending varietals are also sourced from premium vineyard sites, with Petit Verdot and Malbec coming from Bancroft Ranch on Howell Mountain, which contributes structure and supple dark fruit. As with previous vintages of Private Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon, each vineyard lot is closely monitored during the ripening period to determine the ideal pick time.
