It was 2002 and my first visit to Beringer Vineyards. I was enamored by the history of the property and how consistently good the wines were — even at the entry level. 23 years later I once again visited this famed property that is one of the oldest wineries in California, dating all the way back to the 1860s.
It was such a pleasure tasting with winemaker Margo Van Staaveren. She actually began her winemaking career at Beringer and has more than 45 harvests of experience. She made some incredible wines for Chateau St. Jean for years.
The new wines were dense, rich and full of finesse. I love the 2023 ‘Private Reserve’ Chardonnay (OB, 95) which is dense and heady stuff with a lengthy finish. Don’t miss out on the stunning 2021 Beringer ‘Private Reserve’ Cabernet Sauvignon (OB, 97) which is amongst the finest editions of this wine that I have tasted. Learn more about these awesome wines at beringer.com Here are the awesome new premium wines by Beringer Vineyards.
2023 Beringer “Private Reserve’ Chardonnay- A stunning, more nervy edition of this wine, the 2023 ‘Private Reserve’ offers dense brioche and pineapple flavors alongside yellow plum and great freshness on the palate. Drink 2025-2032- 95
2023 Beringer ‘Borrow Pit Vineyard’ Cabernet Sauvignon- Sourced from the Oakville AVA, the 2023 ‘Borrow Pit’ comes from younger vines set on gravel and loam that is right across the fence from Screaming Eagle. The first harvest from this site was back in 2015. Once on the nose this shows dark currants alongside tar, bay leaf and shades of black licorice. The palate has great loamy soil character alongside blackberry compote and graphite with good elegance. Drink 2025-2040- 95
2021 Beringer ‘Ste. Helena Home Vineyard’ Cabernet Sauvignon- The 2021 Beringer ‘Ste. Helena Home Vineyard’ Cabernet Sauvignon comes from a slightly warmer site that is at the winery and across the street from the winery. This has fennel and black raspberry notes on the palate, with terrific finesse and great damp soil character. Lifted and bright with loads of tension and mouth-watering acidity, enjoy now and over the next fifteen years. Drink 2025-2040- 95
2021 Beringer ‘Chabot Vineyard’ Cabernet Sauvignon- A beautiful expression of Cabernet Sauvignon, the 2021 ‘Chabot Vineyard’ delivers bright acidity and a seamless mouthfeel throughout the drinking experience. Desne dark fruits collide with dark chocolate shavings and Arabica bean with loamy soils on the palate. A joy to enjoy now, savor this beauty over the next fifteen plus years to come. Drink 2025-2040- 95
2021 Beringer ‘Bancroft Ranch’ Cabernet Sauvignon - Coming from this high elevation location on Howell Mountain set on volcanic soils, the 2021 ‘Bancroft Ranch’ are now older, 30 plus year old vines. This is seamless upon entry with a silky mouthfeel. Green herbs, orange bell pepper and blackberry compote flavors mingle well with gravel with great tension. Drink 2025-2040- 95
2021 Beringer ‘Private Reserve’ Cabernet Sauvignon- The 201 ‘Private Reserve’ is a stunning wine that shows loads of aging potential. This is deep, concentrated and intense wine that has loads of cellaring potential. Once on the nose this shows off sandalwood notes alongside anise and creme de cassis notes. The palate is intense and downright delicious with firm tannins that frame a dizzying array of black fruits with espresso grounds and gravel soils. Drink 2025-2045- 97