Beringer Vineyards
About Beringer Vineyards
California’s longest continuously operated winery, Beringer Vineyards is as iconic a New World producer as any. It was in fact in 1876 that Jacob and Frederick Beringer harvested their very first vintage in what would become the St Helena AVA, with the impressive Victorian mansion pictured above completed just seven years later. Whilst the vast majority of top Napa estates had to close their doors during the period of prohibition in the US, Beringer was able to sail on thanks to the license obtained to produce sacramental wine for churches across the nation.
Ownership of this legendary property has changed hands a number of times since the 1970s in particular, but appears to have finally settled in the capable hands of Treasury Wine Estates, owners of Stag’s Lead and Penfolds. In a very pleasing twist of fate, Mark Beringer was appointed head winemaker as the great-great grandson of Jacob!
Product Name | Region | Qty | Score | Price | |||||
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California | 2 | 93 (WA) | HK$2,585.00 | |||||
Wine Advocate (93)Production: 17,000 cases; Alcohol: 14.1% Blend: 97% Cabernet Sauvignon and 3% Cabernet Franc; Harvest Dates: October 12 to November 11. A more mineral-dominated wine, the 1993 Private Reserve offers notes of cedarwood, black cherries, black currants, damp earth, underbrush and forest floor. It is the product of a lower than normal crop, some shatter during berry set and a general reduction of fruit by nearly 30% in some vineyards. August and September alternated between cool periods and large heat spikes. This was a challenging year, but the seemingly fully mature wine has turned out very well. Unlike 1992, 1991 and 1990, this vintage is best consumed over the next 5-7 years given its more fragile constitution. |
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California | 1 | 96 (WA) | HK$7,800.00 | |||||
Wine Advocate (96)The 2010 Cabernet Sauvignon Private Reserve is built from completely different sources. Sixty-six percent came from the St. Helena Home Ranch, 18% from the Chabot Vineyard, and the rest from Beringer’s estates in St. Helena, Rutherford and Coombsville. It is 100% Cabernet Sauvignon that came in at 14.6% natural alcohol with a pH of 3.8. Perhaps the greatest Beringer Private Reserve since the 2007, 2005, 2002 and 2001, the 2010 offers up notes of lead pencil shavings, creme de cassis, subtle smoke, wet rocks and background oak. Full-bodied, rich and impressive, it can be drunk now or cellared for two decades. |
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California | 1 | 96 (WA) | HK$7,020.00 | |||||
Wine Advocate (96)Revealing the great blending skills of Beringer’s winemaking team, the 2012 Cabernet Sauvignon Private Reserve is a winner. Having purchased Private Reserves for many years, I can attest that they age incredibly well. The 1991, one of the great successes of that vintage, is still aging beautifully at nearly 25 years of age. The sensational 2012 (10,000 cases) boasts an opaque purple color along with abundant aromas of charcoal, burning embers, crme de cassis, chocolate, blackberries and licorice. The long, complex, compelling, full-bodied texture along with terrific purity and a savory, rich mouthfeel result in a classic, quintessential Napa Cabernet Sauvignon to drink now and over the next 20-25 years. |
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California | 1 | 97 (WA) | HK$6,505.00 | |||||
Wine Advocate (97)One of the great efforts of recent years, and not surprisingly so, is the 2013 Cabernet Sauvignon Private Reserve, a blend of 81% from Howell Mountain, 11% from St. Helena and the rest Calistoga and Mount Veeder. It is a blend of 96% Cabernet Sauvignon 3% Cabernet Franc and 1% Petit Verdot aged 20 months in 84% new French oak. At 15.2% natural alcohol, this is a big boy, but also classic Napa Cabernet Sauvignon with crème de cassis, graphite, licorice, and a touch of spicy oak. Winemaker Laurie Hook, who has since departed as winemaker, really hit a home run with this beauty. The wine could benefit from 7-10 years cellaring and probably last 30 to 40. When all is said and done, this is an instant classic, the wine full-bodied with oodles of crème de cassis, pen ink, graphite and baking spices. It is multi-dimensional, layered, and one of the all-time great Beringer Private Reserves – and there have been many. |