For years I have loved 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. I first tasted at Beringer over twenty years ago 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. 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 2021 ‘Private Reserve’ Chardonnay (OB, 95) which is one of the great Chardonnays from the region that I have tasted in the past year. Another sensational value buy is the 2019 Beringer ‘Knights Valley Reserve’ Cabernet Sauvignon (OB, 94) which is dense and chewy with a seamless mouthfeel. Learn more about these awesome wines at beringer.com Here are the awesome new premium wines by Beringer Vineyards.
2021 Beringer ‘Private Reserve’ Chardonnay- The 2021 Beringer ‘Private Reserve’ Chardonnay is sourced from the Gamble Ranch Vineyard, as this 2021 Chardonnay shows really good opulence once on the mouth. Layers of butterscotch and toasted almond combine with baking spice dusted pie crust and lemon cream flavors on the palate. Rich and decadent, don’t serve too warm to take in the gorgeous range of flavors. This beauty will easily live on for another decade. Drink 2023-2033- 95
2020 Beringer ‘Knights Valley’ Cabernet Sauvignon- The 2020 Knights Valley Cabernet Sauvignon shows well with plenty of juicy blackberry and black cherry notes alongside refined tannins on the palate. Drink 2024-2030- 90
2019 Beringer ‘Knights Valley Reserve’ Cabernet Sauvignon- The outstanding 2019 Beringer ‘Knights Valley Reserve’ Cabernet Sauvignon is inky in the glass, showing dark currants and pencil lead notes alongside boysenberry fruits. The palate is plush and soft with a refined texture and great sense of weight. This is quite simply a fabulous wine for the price. Drink 2024-2034- 94
2020 Beringer ‘Private Reserve’ Cabernet Sauvignon- The 2020 Beringer ‘Private Reserve’ Cabernet Sauvignon is an outstanding new bottling that comes from this challenging vintage in the Napa Valley. The wine mainly comes from Oakville’s Borrow Pit Vineyard (49%) as well as Mt. Veeder’s Lampyridae Vineyard (47%).This 100% varietal wine that was stored for 20 months in new French oak (65% new). It comes off rich and refined with big tannins that frame a big core of blackberry, black cherry and black tea flavors. Generous and delicious, consume now and over the next eight plus years to come. Drink 2024-2032- 94