Winemaker Notes
Professional Ratings
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
A new offering and another terrific value, the 2012 Proprietary Red The Waymaker is a blend from Paso Robles. This 6,000-case cuvée is a blend of 57% Syrah, 37% Cabernet Sauvignon and the rest Petite Sirah and Mourvèdre. Its deep ruby/purple color is followed by notes of sweet black cherries, raspberries, and dusty, loamy, peppery, meaty, lavender notes. With a Rhône Ranger-like style, it offers medium to full-bodied, mouthfilling, savory flavors and no hard edges. This beauty should be consumed over the next 4-5 years for its boisterous gusto.
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.
Undoubtedly proving its merit over and over, Napa Valley is a now a leading force in the world of prestigious red wine regions. Though Cabernet Sauvignon dominates Napa Valley, other red varieties certainly thrive here. Important but often overlooked include Merlot and other Bordeaux varieties well-regarded on their own as well as for their blending capacities. Very old vine Zinfandel represents an important historical stronghold for the region and Pinot noir is produced in the cooler southern parts, close to the San Pablo Bay.
Perfectly situated running north to south, the valley acts as a corridor, pulling cool, moist air up from the San Pablo Bay in the evenings during the hot days of the growing season, which leads to even and slow grape ripening. Furthermore the valley claims over 100 soil variations including layers of volcanic, gravel, sand and silt—a combination excellent for world-class red wine production.