2002 Beringer Vineyards Private Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley

(94 points  --  Wine Advocate)

Production: 14,200 cases; Alcohol: 14.2%; Blend: 100% Cabernet Sauvignon; Harvest Dates: September 21 to October 16. A gorgeous growing season was mild until the end of September when temperatures soared. The results are powerful, concentrated, flamboyant 2002s in Napa. The 2002 Private Reserve is a blend of fruit from Steinhauer Ranch (48%), St. Helena Home Vineyard (23%), Marston Ranch (8%), Bancroft Ranch (7%), Rancho del Oso (6%) and the balance Chabot Vineyard. This exuberant, powerful wine exhibits a dense purple color as well as a wonderful, sexy, earthy, flamboyant bouquet and sweet, fat, fleshy flavors. This is a succulent, classic California fruit bomb offering up spice box, licorice, tobacco leaf, seductive smoky oak, and abundant creme de cassis and blackberry fruit. Viscous, thick and juicy, it appears to be on a relatively fast evolutionary track and can be drunk now or cellared for another 10-15 years. Wine Advocate #195 Jun 2011