1997 Beringer Cabernet Sauvignon Private Reserve
Market price
Buying options
Tasting notes
(13.8% alcohol): Bright medium ruby. Sexy aromas of dark berries and earth complemented by mellow mocha and coffee tones; inviting and mature but not at all old. Wonderfully suave, silky dark berry, spice and floral flavors are framed and extended by harmonious acidity. The tannins are serious but less dusty than those of the special Anniversary bottling and the juicy, subtle, rising finish avoids tartness. Showing beautifully today--and more refined than a bottle, rated 92 points, that was part of my big Beringer vertical tasting in 2015.
Critic scores
Stephen Tanzer, Vinous
Jeff Leve, The Wine Cellar Insider
More reviews and scores
This wine is rocking! With layers of juicy, ripe blackberries, tobacco, licorice and cigar box aromas, there is a sense of purity to the fruit, polished tannins and a long finish that seems to expand on the palate.
(14% alcohol; 19% Chabot, 19% St. Helena, 16% Bancroft, 33% Steinhauer, 9% Marston and 4% Cabernet Franc): Saturated ruby-red. Aromas of blueberry liqueur, violet, licorice and menthol. Fat, rich and full, displaying generous, lush flavors of raspberry and dried spices. This voluminous wine is a bit aggressive without coming across as hot. As round and sweet as it is, it also possesses substantial, late-arriving, dusty tannins and plenty of supporting acidity--actually higher than the 1995, according to Laurie Hook. Production of this bottling was the highest ever at 24,125 cases