2019 Beringer Cabernet Sauvignon Steinhauer Ranch
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Tasting notes
Classic iron, darker foresty, herbal notes, and both black and blue fruits emerge from the 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon Steinhauer Ranch Vineyard, a medium to full-bodied, balanced, nicely concentrated Howell Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon. It has textbook mountain tannins and structure, and tasted blind, I'd almost guess 2018 given its pure, focused, Bordeaux-like stature. It's not massive, nor does it have a ton of baby fat, but I love its mid-palate density and overall balance. Hide bottles for 4-5 years if you can, and it should keep for 20+ years.
Critic scores
Average Score
Jeb Dunnuck
Antonio Galloni, Vinous
More reviews and scores
The 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon Steinhauer Vineyard is particularly attractive in that it lacks the green overtones of Beringer's other Howell Mountain Cabs. Marked instead by hints of pencil shavings and ripe cassis, it's full-bodied yet shows classic Cabernet restraint, being streamlined, concentrated and long and tannic on the finish. In some vintages, this source can account for as much as 40% of the Private Reserve.
The 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon Steinhauer Ranch is one of the most complete wines in this range from Beringer. That is not terribly surprising, as the Steinhauer is the backbone of the flagship Private Reserve Cabernet. Bright acids and savory accents race out of the glass. The 2019 is bold, dramatic and exquisitely beautiful. Dark plum, menthol, licorice, lavender and mocha linger on the persistent close.