I have always admired the historic wineries of the Napa Valley. Beringer is one of the oldest on the west coast, dating all the way back back to the 1860s. For years I’ve tasted at Beringer and it is always a welcome experience to come back to this expansive spot in St. Helena. I have very fond memories of older bottles of their ‘Private Reserve’ Chardonnay as these are some of the most age worthy Chardonnays you will find in Napa. I recently had a chance to taste the 2013 ‘Private Reserve’ Cabernet which was absolutely stunning and also very youthful. Beringer may have invented the White Zin but they also have crafted some incredibly age worthy Chardonnay and Cabernet wines. Years ago I tried many ‘Private Reserve’ Chardonnays which were up to ten years old. These wines truly age brilliantly.
Winemaker Ryan Rech came to Napa more than a decade ago, where he led winemaking for the relaunch of the Souverain wines crafted in the historic Asti winery, and later, working alongside famed Chateau St. Jean winemaker Margo Van Staaveren. In 2016, Ryan joined Beringer Vineyards as Luxury Red Winemaker and crafted wines from the Knight’s Valley estate. He was appointed Sr. Winemaker and General Manager in 2017 and elevated to Chief Winemaker in 2021, following the line of Mark Beringer, the great-grandson of Beringer Vineyards’ founding brother Jacob Beringer
Do not miss out on the incredible new 2019 ‘Private Reserve’ Chardonnay (OB, 94) which is not for the wearty and shows brilliant flavor density and range. . This is a killer value to buy by the case. Another sensational value buy is the 2019 Beringer ‘Knights Valley Reserve’ Cabernet Sauvignon (OB, 93) which is very seamless and intense, showing the best qualities of this region in Sonoma. Learn more about these awesome wines at beringer.com Here are the awesome new premium wines by Beringer Vineyards.
2019 Beringer ‘Private Reserve’ Chardonnay- Every bit as good as the gorgeous 2018 bottling, the 2019 Beringer ‘Private Reserve’ Chardonnay is a stunning new edition from this storied Napa house. Once on the nose this takes on butterscotch, pineapple upside-down cake and shades of mango that give this a very tropical edge. The palate is rich and polished, with serious weight and length. A light salinity adds to the enjoyment, as this is decadent Chardonnay to consume now and over the next eight plus years. Drink 2022-2031- 94
2019 Beringer ‘Knights Valley Reserve’ Cabernet Sauvignon- For years I have enjoyed this reserve wine, coming from the Knights Valley. This beauty was made by winemaker Mark Beringer before he left. It is very dense and inky once in the glass. Sandalwood, red bell pepper and blackberry compote notes combine on the nose. The palate is soft and inviting with layers of rich kirsch cordial, espresso grounds, graphite and toasty oak all combine on the palate. The rich texture really adds to the enjoyment, as this is beautiful wine to consume now and over the next ten plus years. Drink 2022-2034- 93