Beringer Private Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 2004

Since 1981, when Winemaster Ed Sbragia first began blending the most expressive components from Beringer's best vineyards to craft the Private Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon, he and Bob Steinhauer, vineyard manager at the time, worked steadily to identify Napa Valley sites that they thought could be developed into producing the rich, intensely colored and flavored Cabernet Sauvignon grapes that Ed requires for the Private Reserve. In 2004, Ed had eight reserve-potential vineyards to draw from, choosing the best lots after vinification and aging for a final blend that combines the various vineyard expressions into a well-balanced, full-flavored whole. In any vintage, Ed's goal with the Private Reserve is to make a wine that is greater than the sum of its parts.

With Cabernet of this quality, Ed believes in taking a minimalist approach to winemaking. Vinifying the fruit from each vineyard separately, Ed and his long-time winemaking partner Laurie Hook used tailored pump-over techniques for optimal extraction, and then aged the wines in hand-selected, custom-toasted barrels of new French Nevers oak from coopers with whom they have long-established relationships. The winemakers put the wines through 100-percent malolactic fermentation for added complexity and softness, and aged them just over two years before Ed selected the blend that he felt layers the personalities of the vineyards into a harmonious whole.

The final blend showcases aromas of black berries, toasty oak, mint, white pepper and cocoa. Black fruit, cassis, caramel, vanilla, brown spices and hints of rose petals coat the palate as ripe supple tannins extend throughout the long finish.