Beringer Private Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 1986

Professional Ratings

• 92 Robert Parker's Wine Advocate

  My gut feeling is that Beringer's superb 1986 Private Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon has turned out even better than their 1985. Perhaps it is just that the 1986 tastes more forward, but I also thought the super bouquet of this wine and the creamy, expansive, rich, full-bodied flavors had even more dimension than the wonderful 1985. It has a stunning bouquet of ripe, smoky, oaky, berry-scented fruit, extravagantly rich, luscious flavors, and super length. It would appear to have a more multi-dimensional character and a richer, fuller personality than the 1985.

• 90 Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
  The fully mature, open-knit 1986 Cabernet Sauvignon Private Reserve is totally delicious. The color is dark garnet with some amber at the edge. The big, sweet, licorice, earthy, jammy, black fruit-scented nose is followed by a full-bodied, sweet, expansive, chewy wine with no hard edges. The acidity and tannin are both well-integrated in this plump, sumptuous Cabernet Sauvignon that should drink well for 5-6 more years.