Beringer Private Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 2009

"The 2009 Cabernet Sauvignon Private Reserve is a beautifully balanced wine. Firm yet well-integrated tannins frame a core of dark red berries, flowers, mint, spices and licorice. The Reserve shows lovely inner perfume and mid-palate juiciness. It should drink well with a minimum of cellaring. The main vineyards in the 2009 are Home (37%), Lampyridae (23%), Vogt (14%), Chabot (11%) and Rancho del Oso (9%). Each lot was aged separately for about two years before the final blend was assembled. Anticipated maturity: 2014-2029."

93 Points

The Wine Advocate

"Good full ruby. Pure but tight nose shows a medicinal reserve. Then tight and penetrating in the mouth, with noteworthy intensity to the blackberry and menthol flavors. Much less open and showy today than the Bancroft cabernet, revealing little in the way of easy sweetness. This seriously structured wine finishes with substantial firm tannins, excellent breadth and a suggestion of chocolatey richness, and should be long-lived. 'A blend of the best of the best,' according to winemaker Laurie Hook, who added that she's looking for 'intensity, complexity, depth, persistence, elegance.'
Rating: 93(+?)"

93 Points

International Wine Cellar

"An intense and rustic red, offering a rangy mix of dried berry, earth, leather, roasted herb and tobacco leaf flavors. A cool-year Cabernet that should benefit from cellaring, yet will always show its sturdy build. Best from 2014 through 2026."

91 Points

Wine Spectator