Good red-ruby color. Reticent black cherry and mineral nose. Fat, sweet, lush fruit is currently kept under wraps by firm underlying structure. But this impressive cabernet has real dimension and depth. Finishes very long, with suave tannins. Should be a beauty.

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Production: 14,900 cases Alcohol: 13.7% Blend: 100% Cabernet Sauvignon; Harvest Dates: September 27 to October 31. This superb vintage in northern Napa Valley yielded smaller than normal quantities of Cabernet Sauvignon. It was basically problem free other than relatively small crops. Some torrid heat in early August created some problems, but otherwise it was an even growing season with few difficulties. Beringer's 1994 Private Reserve came from four vineyard sites, Bancroft Ranch (47%), Tre Colline, and the balance from Chabot and St. Helena Home Vineyard. A stunning, seamless Cabernet Sauvignon, it boasts abundant notes of white chocolate, creme de cassis, woodsmoke, spice box, licorice and forest floor, superb concentration, a full-bodied mouthfeel, sweet, integrated tannin and admirable youthfulness as well as freshness. This is one of the most Bordeaux-like wines in this vertical, with the lead pencil shavings and scorched earth characteristics pointing toward a Graves style. This beauty will continue to drink well for another two decades.

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Ultraripe and fleshy in texture, with a nice mix of mocha, currant, blackberry and stewed plum flavors that turn supple and graceful on the palate, finishing with a smooth aftertaste and ripe, integrated tannins.--California Cabernet '74/'84/'94 retrospective. 14,000 cases made.

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