2001 Beringer Vineyards Private Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley

(97 points  --  Wine Advocate)

The spectacular 2001 Cabernet Sauvignon Private Reserve came in at 14.2% natural alcohol. The good news is that winemaker Ed Sbragia produced 10,000 cases of this beauty. Just hitting late adolescence, this 100% Cabernet Sauvignon cuvee exhibits an opaque dark purple color along with a beautiful, smoky, sweet black currant, licorice, truffle, toast and underbrush-scented nose. With fabulous concentration, great intensity and tremendous purity, this voluptuously textured, full-bodied classic is one of the all-time great Beringer Private Reserve Cabernet Sauvignons. While drinkable now, it will continue to evolve for at least another 20 years. Of all the superb Private Reserve vintages, the 2001 ranks alongside the 1991, 1994, 1995, 1997, 2005 and 2007. The performances of the two other Cabernet Sauvignons were surprising since I tend to think of these wines as needing to be drunk early in life. The 2001 Cabernet Sauvignon Knight’s Valley and 2001 Cabernet Sauvignon Napa are both outstanding efforts. Furthermore, they prove that you don’t have to pay a premium price to get a top-notch wine from this large winery. Wine Advocate #195 Jun 2011