1996 Beringer Cabernet Sauvignon Private Reserve
UNITED STATES / CALIFORNIA / NAPA
International Wine Cellar | Rating: 93
Deep ruby. Tangy, seductive aromas of black raspberry, toast, flowers and dark chocolate. Rich, thick, supple and harmonious; very strong extract. Very long finish features sweet tannins. This is superb for the vintage, and more stylish than it appeared from barrel a year ago.Author: Stephen TanzerIssue: May/June 1999Jancis Robinson | Rating: 16
Deep, saturated ruby is belied by a much lighter, looser palate than most Private Reserve blends from this producer. Acidity quite dominant.Author: Jancis RobinsonWine Advocate | Rating: 88
Production: 15,000 cases Alcohol: 13.7% Blend: 96% Cabernet Sauvignon and 4% Cabernet Franc; Harvest Dates: September 23 to October 19. Composed of 52% Tre Colline fruit, 27% from Bancroft Ranch and the balance from the St. Helena Home Vineyard and Chabot Vineyard, this vintage was characterized by high heat spikes in August that complicated things after intermittent rain had caused flowering issues in May. Fortunately, September cooled off and gave most vineyards a chance to ripen more evenly. The wine reveals ragged tannins as well as a more overt herbaceous character, medium to full body, and a more angular, austere personality that lacks the charm, fat, sweetness and unctuosity of the top vintages. The 1996 is a very good Private Reserve and on its own may show slightly better, but it is clearly the weakest link in the first eight vintages of the nineties. It is fully mature and is unlikely to get any better. In fact there is a danger of desiccation with further aging, so drink it over the next 4-5 years.Author: Robert ParkerWine Spectator | Rating: 90
This is an outstanding wine, ripe and intense, with firm layers of earthy currant, anise, black cherry and plummy flavors framed by tight tannins and spicy, cedary oak notes. 14,000 cases made.Author: James Laube
Self | Rating: 91
Good, solid bottle of cab. Not sure when I had the last one of these, but I seem to remember it being better. A little on the delicate side. Some dried fruit mixed with Cinnamon seemed to be the order of the day. Last bottle of these in the cellar. Sorry to see them go, but not sure I'd wait too much longer before finishing these up. This bottle would have only gone another year or two, and I suspect it would be dropping off quickly over this period of time.Author: CharleySelf | Rating: 91
Had at the Vacaville Norcal Finals. Very good fruit, soft. Body and color were perfect. nice drink really enjoyed it. Could last another 3 to 4 years.Drink Dates: 2013-2016Author: BryonSelf | Rating: 93
Mature Napa Cabernet, in a good drinking window now, with just about the right balance of primary and secondary characteristics, and smooth integrated tannins.Author: WineDocSelf | Rating: 91
Very good, as usual, not at par as last bottle tasted. Very CA cabernet classic, lot of ripe fruit, black currant, redberry, spicy and toasty vanilla and mineral. It falls a litlle short on finish.Drink Dates: 2003-2010Author: Jito72
Beringer Vineyards is the oldest continuously operating winery in the Napa Valley. In 2001, the estate was placed on the National Register for Historic Places as a Historic District. Jacob Beringer's foresight in recognizing the quality and potential of grape growing in the Napa Valley is part of the living heritage of Beringer Vineyards . With the present use of state-of-the-art technology applied to age-old traditions, Beringer Vineyards' wines continue to reflect a single-minded dedication to the making of memorable wines from great Napa Valley vineyards.
Collector Data For This Wine
- 862 bottles owned
- 242 collectors
- Average collector rating: 92
(Out of 242 collectors)