Robert Parker's Wine Advocate: 97 points
Production:
14,900 cases Alcohol: 13.7% Blend: 100% Cabernet Sauvignon; Harvest
Dates: September 27 to October 31. This superb vintage in northern Napa
Valley yielded smaller than normal quantities of Cabernet Sauvignon. It
was basically problem free other than relatively small crops. Some
torrid heat in early August created some problems, but otherwise it was
an even growing season with few difficulties. Beringers 1994 Private
Reserve came from four vineyard sites, Bancroft Ranch (47%), Tre
Colline, and the balance from Chabot and St. Helena Home Vineyard. A
stunning, seamless Cabernet Sauvignon, it boasts abundant notes of white
chocolate, creme de cassis, woodsmoke, spice box, licorice and forest
floor, superb concentration, a full-bodied mouthfeel, sweet, integrated
tannin and admirable youthfulness as well as freshness. This is one of
the most Bordeaux-like wines in this vertical, with the lead pencil
shavings and scorched earth characteristics pointing toward a Graves
style. This beauty will continue to drink well for another two decades.
Review date: June 2011
