1998 Cabernet Sauvignon Private Reserve
Estimated value
Buying options
Tasting notes
(13.8% alcohol; 24% Chabot, 23% St. Helena, 14% Bancroft, 28% Steinhauer, 11% Marston): Good deep red. Aromatic, open-knit aromas and flavors of plum, mocha, spices and earth, plus just a hint of pyrazines. Supple and sweet but showing modest complexity. A round, approachable midweight that's not at all overly green for 1998. The dusty tannins turn a bit dry on the savory, slightly rigid finish. Beringer made a very small quantity of this wine in the difficult 1998 vintage, and it's distinctly lighter than the '97 bottling.
Critic scores
Average Score
Robert Parker
Stephen Tanzer, Vinous
More reviews and scores
Production: 8,500 cases; Alcohol: 13.9%; Blend: 100% Cabernet Sauvignon; Harvest Dates: October 23 to November 7.This was one of the latest harvests ever in Napa Valley (because of very cold weather during both spring and summer), and the mountain vineyards took even longer to reach maturity. From the Tre Colline, Chabot and St. Helena Home vineyards as well as tiny components from the Bancroft Ranch and Marston Ranch sites, the 1998 Private Reserve is fully mature, but should keep for another 5-10 years. More French than Napa in style, this earthy, spicy, foresty, herbal-scented wine reveals sweet plum, cola, cedar and mint notes, a healthy dark plum/garnet color, a medium-bodied mouthfeel, and lots of mineral earthiness (a characteristic of this cooler year).
Saturated medium ruby. Black cherry, mocha, roast coffee and hints of roasted nuts and game on the nose. Lush and sweet for '98, with impressive palate presence and depth of flavor. Ripe note of dark chocolate in the mouth. Big but ripe tannins coat the palate. Superb '98 in the making.