1989 Beringer Cabernet Sauvignon Private Reserve
Market price
Buying options
Tasting notes
(13.3% alcohol; 35% Chabot, 18% State Lane, 22% St. Helena, 25% Bancroft; from a cooler summer, with the harvesters dodging rain): Very good deep red. Aromas of black licorice and wild herbs. Juicy and tight, with firm, harmonious acidity giving grip to the flavors of sour cherry and cocoa powder. Boasts good texture and weight, as well as a light gamey qualty that some may find offputting. But there's a lot of wine here.
Critic scores
Robert Parker
Stephen Tanzer, Vinous
More reviews and scores
If you have given up on the 1989 vintage for California Cabernet, think again. Beringer's 1989 Private Reserve is one of the stars of the vintage. Unlike many of the hollow, aggressively tannic 1989s, this dark-colored wine is loaded with rich, chocolatey, blackcurrant fruit, and spicy, toasty oak. Although it reveals harder tannin than is found in the 1990 and 1991, the tannin is not out of balance. This long, rich, full-bodied, impressively-endowed Cabernet Sauvignon will benefit from 2-3 more years of cellaring; it will keep for 15 more years. Beringer continues to do everything right. Its staff of talented professionals may rank as the best in the business. Since 1984, its Private Reserve Cabernets have been among the top dozen Cabernets produced in California. These superior wines are not likely to stumble over the next several years. Beringer possesses some experimental batches of wine that are not likely to be released outside the winery. However, given the quality of such wines as their 1992 Pinot Blanc, 1992 Melon, 1992 Pinot Gris, 1992 Auxerrois, and 1992 Viogner, they are breaking new ground in California. Moreover, prices are reasonable.