2003 Beringer Cabernet Sauvignon Private Reserve
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Tasting notes
(14.1% alcohol; 6% Chabot, 32% St. Helena, 12% Bancroft, 12% Marston, 6% Rancho del Oso, 19% Steinhauer, 8% Quarry and 5% Cabernet Franc; from a season featuring a moderate summer and long harvest, from September 29 through November 10): Deep red. Liqueur-like, slightly stewy aromas of cassis and redcurrant. Rich but slightly rigid, conveying a dehydrated skin character to the flavors of dark plum, spices and cedar. Owing to its combination of sound acidity and serious tannins, this wine is still quite backward.
Critic scores
Robert Parker
Stephen Tanzer, Vinous
More reviews and scores
The best wine of this group is the 2003 Cabernet Sauvignon Private Reserve. For statisticians, the composition includes 32% from the St. Helena Home Vineyard, 19% from the Steinhauer Ranch, 12% from Marston Vineyard, 12% from Bancroft Ranch, 8% from the Quarry Vineyard, 6% from Rancho del Oso, 6% from Chabot, 3% from Bancroft, and 2% from Steinhauer Ranch. All these grapes were hand-picked between September 19 and October 28. This is a winner that is seemingly just entering its plateau of full maturity. It boasts a dense ruby/purple color along with a sweet bouquet of black currants, creme de cassis, chocolate fudge, subtle barbecue scents, and hints of lavender, forest floor and tobacco leaf. Full-bodied, rich and dense, it is a classic Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon, as it has been in just about every vintage. The acidity is relatively low, and the 14.1% alcohol is average for a ripe Napa Cabernet. The pH is 3.71, which is just above average. This is a full-bodied, multidimensional red wine that should continue to drink well for at least another 10-15 years. As I have indicated before, the Private Reserve is a blend from at least six separate vineyards owned by Beringer. Most are Howell Mountain sites, although there are two in St. Helena and one on Spring Mountain. Beringer offers their single vineyard cuvees to their private and wine list customers at the winery, and they are often worth taking a look at, as in certain vintages they can truly excel. I find it remarkable that the Beringer winemaking team continues to show their genius by the fact that their Private Reserve is always the finest of them, and it’s the one that is blended with the other single vineyards. In any event, the following is a quick synopsis of the 2003 single vineyard offerings, which are all limited in availability. Tel. (707) 963-7115
Bright medium ruby. Sexy, complex nose melds currant, black raspberry, dark chocolate, minerals, flowers and incense-like spices. Lush, sweet and tactile, with noteworthy depth and inner-mouth aromatic character to its black fruit, mineral and floral flavors. Ripe acids give this a juicy quality and extend the flavors. The fine tannins dust the tongue and teeth.