Deeply saturated in color with a rich depth and elegance, exhibiting a substantial backbone and structure, all hallmarks of this incredible 2018 vintage of Private Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon, and will continue to reward after years of carful cellaring. Fresh, ripe berry notes of blackberry, black cherry, crème de cassis and dark plum all combine, offering a plush, juicy, mouthwatering character that is very approachable in its youth. Complex layers of wild bramble berry fruit, wild violets and notes of cocoa powder, dark chocolate, graphite and tobacco spice, from the well-integrated oak, seamlessly are interwoven with the full-bodied ripe tannins, supporting a firm structure with balanced acidity, leading to a long, persistent, textured finish.
Varietal | Cabernet Sauvignon |
---|---|
Vintage | 2018 |
Volume | 1.5 L |
Appellation | Napa Valley |
Blend | 98% Cabernet Sauvignon, 1% Cabernet Franc, 1% Petit Verdot |
Oak Treatment | Vineyard lots harvested and vinified separately Aged 18 months in new French oak (90% new), 16 months in bottle |
Alcohol % | 14.8% |
Enclosure Type | Cork |
pH | 3.77 |
“The 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon Private Reserve is fabulous. As always, the Private Reserve is built on a core of Howell Mountain fruit. Black cherry, plum, chocolate, grilled herb, spice and licorice all flesh out in the glass. The Private Reserve packs a serious punch, but like all the 2018s shows a more refined expression of tannin that really elevates it.” - Antonio Galloni, March 2021
“Wild blackberry, cassis, dark chocolate, tobacco and dark spice on the nose. Dried violets, too. It’s medium-to full-bodied with firm, powdery tannins and a creamy texture. Intense, yet restrained and refined, with a solid core of dark berries and bitter chocolate. Really focused and crafted with exemplary Napa cabernet character.” - James Suckling, January 2021
“The 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon Private Reserve is based on 98% Cabernet Sauvignon and 1% each of Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot, brought up in 90% new French oak. It’s a beautiful wine that shows the vintage’s pure, elegant, yet concentrated style perfectly. Gorgeous crème de cassis, violets, blueberries, and cedar pencil notes emerge from the glass, and this beauty builds incrementally on the palate, with full-bodied richness, a lively, pure, layered texture, ripe tannins, and a great finish. It can be enjoyed any time over the coming 20-25 years.” - Jeb Dunnuck, January 28, 2021
The Beringer reserve vineyards offer Cabernet Sauvignon of such quality that a minimalist approach to winemaking has long defined this special blend. Each vineyard is vinified separately and monitored carefully from the moment the fruit comes into the winery at Harvest. Tailored pump-over techniques are used for optimal extraction, and the wine is aged in hand-selected, custom-toasted barrels of new French oak (90% new). Each lot was aged for 18 months before selection of the final blend, to allow each vineyard to express the depth of its unique terroir.
Welcomed winter rain in January and February of 2018 eased long drought conditions. After a relatively wet winter, both bud break and flowering occurred later than average, but under ideal weather conditions, creating plentiful and even fruit set. Warm summer temperatures with generous sun exposure moderated by cool marine influences in the mornings and evenings, allowed for a long summer growing season, virtually uninterrupted by any major heat spikes. The mild summer run was followed by extended fall sunshine with moderate heat and no early rains, creating near-ideal conditions to allow fruit extended hang time for gradual ripening, increase sugar levels and flavor complexity development.
Steinhauer Ranch (22%), Bancroft Ranch (15%), Pauli (3%) and Marc Mondavi Ranch (4%) vineyards atop Howell Mountain provide the foundation for the 2018 blend. Fruit from the St. Helena Home Vineyard (25%) and Chabot Vineyard (15%) add the warmth of the St. Helena appellation to the overall blend. Exceptional fruit from Spring Mountain’s Marston Vineyard (6%), Oakville’s Gamble Ranch Vineyard (4%) join contributions from Calistoga’s Bear Flats Vineyard (3%) and Mount Veeder’s Derr Family Vineyard (3%). As with previous vintages of Private Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon, each vineyard lot is closely watched during the ripening period to determine ideal pick time. Grapes for the 2018 Private Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon were harvested between October 9 – 31st.
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