Today we share one of the oldest wineries in California, dating all the way back to the 1860s. the west coast, dating all the way back back to the 1860s. It has now been more than 20 years since I first tasted at this famed St. Helena outpost. 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. There is a long line of exceptional winemakers at this house. Ryan is absolutely holding his own.
This is an amazing new lineup. I love what he did in the challenging 2022 vintage that saw heat spikes at harvest. The 2022 ‘Private Reserve’ Chardonnay (OB, 95) is a total stunner with great viscosity and good tension considering the heat at harvest. A killer wine to buy by the case is the 2021 Beringer ‘Knights Valley Reserve’ Cabernet Sauvignon (OB, 94) which is very refined and heady, showing good aging potential. Learn more about these awesome wines at beringer.com Here are the awesome new premium wines by Beringer Vineyards.
2022 Beringer ‘Private Reserve’ Chardonnay- The outstanding 2022 Beringer ‘Private Reserve’ Chardonnay is mainly sourced from the Gamble Ranch Vineyard in the Napa Valley with 25% coming from Big Ranch in the Oak Knoll AVA. Coming from this tougher vintage that saw heat spikes at harvest, this was stored for 11 months in 60% new French oak before bottling. This is rich and viscous wine with a silky texture. Buttercream and mango combine with toasted Macadamia nut, pineapple and pastry crust notes all sing in unison on the palate. Considering the vintage, this is sensational. Drink 2024-2032- 95
2021 Beringer ‘Knights Valley’ Cabernet Sauvignon- The 2021 Knights Valley Cabernet Sauvignon is dark in the glass, offering pencil lead, anise and dark currant flavors that mingle well with violets on the palate. Medium to full-bodied, this is a beautiful wine made in this warm vintage.Drink 2024-2030- 91
2021 Beringer ‘Knights Valley Reserve’ Cabernet Sauvignon- The brilliant 2021 Beringer ‘Knights Valley Reserve’ Cabernet Sauvignon comes off inky in the glass, revealing creme de cassis, tar, blackberry compote and chocolate cake flavors. This is beautifully textured stuff that has a long way to go in the cellar. Enjoy now and over the next fifteen years. Drink 2024-2040- 94
2021 Beringer ‘Private Reserve’ Cabernet Sauvignon- The 2021 Beringer ‘Private Reserve’ Cabernet Sauvignon is an outstanding new bottling that comes from this exciting vintage in the Napa Valley. Coming from a range of sites throughout the Napa Valley, this Cabernet was stored for 20 months in new French oak (65% new). The nose is very alluring with creme de violette, tar, tobacco leaf and cocoa powder notes. The palate is smooth and silky, as this refined wine glides throughout the drinking experience. Showing plenty of power, yet not coming off overly heavy, enjoy this stunning effort now and over the next twenty years to come. Drink 2024-2044- 98