Cabernet Sauvignon Private Reserve, Beringer Vineyards 1990

Production: 10,300 cases; Alcohol: 13.4%; Blend: 99% Cabernet Sauvignon and 1% Cabernet Franc; Harvest Dates: September 18 - October 11 Unlike more recent offerings, the 1990 came from three Napa Valley parcels, the Chabot Vineyard on the east side of Napa, Beringer’s Home Vineyard in St. Helena and the Bancroft Vineyard on Howell Mountain. 1990 experienced one of Napa Valley’s most exceptional growing seasons with a later than usual bud break, and a hot May, which served as a catalyst for early flowering and a large crop set. After some disquieting light rain in late August, dry, warm weather returned in September and October, resulting in ideal conditions for the harvest. The 1990 is fully mature, but it appears to have another decade of aging left. It exhibits terrific fruit intensity with lots of plum sauce, black currants, roasted meats, cedar and cassis. Full-bodied and quite mature (it reveals some lightening at the edge), it is in no danger of drying out or declining.