Winemaker Notes
Professional Ratings
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Decanter
Rating: 95+
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Wilfred Wong of Wine.com
The gold standard, there is little doubt that Beringer's Private Reserve Cabernet is one of the world's most serious and glamorous wines. Always considered a front-running in vying for "Best Cabernet of the Year," the 2011 is pretty remarkable given the difficult growing season. This wine shows wonderfully balanced flavors of red and black fruit with a few savory herbs thrown in. Nicely structured with pure varietal flavors. (Tasted: April 13, 2015, San Francisco, CA)
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
The 2011 Cabernet Sauvignon Private Reserve is from only two sources (somewhat unusual), the Steinhauer Vineyard on Howell Mountain (71%) and the St. Helena Home Vineyard (29%). It achieved 14.7% natural alcohol and a relatively high pH of 3.9, which suggests plenty of ripeness, no doubt from the Howell Mountain component. Aged 18 months in new French oak and 12 months in the bottle before being released, this beautiful Cabernet demonstrates the commitment to quality that exists at Beringer despite its colossal size. The 2011 exhibits a deep ruby/purple color along with a sweet bouquet of chocolate, red and black currants, graphite and spring flowers. Ripe and medium-bodied with gorgeous fruit, and no astringency or herbaceousness, this is a lovely, soft, round, juicy wine to drink over the next decade.
As California's longest continuously operating winery, Beringer has been defining Napa Valley winemaking since it was founded by Jacob and Frederick Beringer in 1876. By continuing that pioneering spirit, Beringer established many 'firsts' as leaders in the wine industry. They were one of the first gravity fed facilities and among the first to operate using hand dug caves and cellars. Beringer were the first to give public tours in 1934, starting a Napa Valley hospitality tradition. They are the first and only winery to have both a red and a white wine named #1 Wine of the Year by Wine Spectator Magazine. Today, they proudly celebrate and remain true to their pioneering legacy.
One of the most prestigious wines of the world capable of great power and grace, Napa Valley Cabernet is a leading force in the world of fine, famous, collectible red wine. Today the Napa Valley and Cabernet Sauvignon are so intrinsically linked that it is difficult to discuss one without the other. But it wasn’t until the 1970s that this marriage came to light; sudden international recognition rained upon Napa with the victory of the Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars 1973 Cabernet Sauvignon in the 1976 Judgement of Paris.
Cabernet Sauvignon undoubtedly dominates Napa Valley today, covering half of the land under vine, commanding the highest prices per ton and earning the most critical acclaim. Cabernet Sauvignon’s structure, acidity, capacity to thrive in multiple environs and ability to express nuances of vintage make it perfect for Napa Valley where incredible soil and geographical diversity are found and the climate is perfect for grape growing. Within the Napa Valley lie many smaller sub-AVAs that express specific characteristics based on situation, slope and soil—as a perfect example, Rutherford’s famous dust or Stags Leap District's tart cherry flavors.