“One of the top Cabernet Sauvignons made in Napa Valley, Beringer’s Private Reserves have been among the leading California wines… I am sure wealthy collectors will argue for decades as to which vintage is the most complete.”– Robert Parker

Now how many Napa Cabs are out there?

Thousands, to be sure.

But few, if any, have the cachet, iconic history, and timeless stature of Beringer’s Private Reserve. And there’s a strong argument to be made that it stands alone as one of the most complete.

With high points up to 98 from the pros, this is just another stellar example of this ever-popular bottling. Naturally, we edge out the competition with the best price… normally $175-ish, and available elsewhere $120-$200+ but we finessed it down to a rock bottom $99 for you. As Parker said, let the “wealthy collectors” argue while you save BIG TIME.

As far as collectible, age-worthy library vintage Napa Cab releases go, you can spend a lot more money, however, you can’t get much better than this. As the oldest continually operating winery in Napa Beringer has been churning out wines since way back in 1876. 140+ years!

San Francisco Chronicle is right, “It’s easy to forget that Beringer is one of the most important wineries in the history of the Napa Valley… For decades Beringer was counted among the most collectible wines in California, the only winery with both a red and white to earn the title of Wine of the Year from Wine Spectator… Their most famous wine, however, is the Cabernet Sauvignon Private Reserve, which has always been a blend of multiple vineyard sites to working in synergy to represent Napa as a whole.”

This vintage earned Suckling’s #8 Wine of the Year in his 2020 TOP-100 and might be the ultimate sleeper in a recent string of high-scoring, superb releases for this flagship. Fruit comes almost entirely from Howell Mountain. Specifically, Steinhauer Ranch, and Bancroft. With the balance from St. Helena (Beringer’s Home Vineyard and Chabot.) After a meticulous selection of the very best barrels from each of these locations, the wine is assembled, aged, and released into the wild.

We opened one last week and were blown away. Amazing power and depth of fruit, towering structure, fine polished tannins. Echoes of the pros’ notes came from Agents at the table: “brilliant”, “a blockbuster” marked by “polish and sophistication.” A massive core of dark berries comes into immediate focus, sure. An orbit of crushed stones, candied violets, dusty earth, raw tobacco, sage, and toasty herbs send your mind reeling. The sophistication, complexity, and raw strength seem practically unmatched. These wines can age for decades with grace, and if you can keep this hidden into the 2030s, you’ll be very happy.

What else can we say about this reference point Cabernet from an American wine icon? Other than get some while it’s here at this price!!

98 Points – James Suckling

“This shows really beautiful purity of fruit with polish and sophistication. The currant and cassis aromas are so enticing and really reflect the name of the wine. Medium to full body. Extremely fine tannins. Shows a level of freshness and agility that caresses the palate. Delicate and beautiful. Mostly Howell Mountain. Drink or hold.”

96 Points – Jeb Dunnuck

“The 2017 Cabernet Sauvignon Private Reserve is brilliant, with a ripe, powerful style that’s going to age gracefully. Deep blackcurrants, dark chocolate, scorched earth, and graphite notes all emerge from this concentrated, powerful Cabernet that has ripe tannins, a big, rich mid-palate, and a great finish. It’s going to benefit from 3-5 years of bottle age and keep for upwards of two decades with no issues. Drink 2023-2043.”

95 Points, Cellar Selection – Wine Enthusiast

“Thick and concentrated in dense layers of cedar, pencil shaving and currant, this reserve-worthy wine is substantial in body wight and power, with considerable oak impact, as it was aged 20 months in 80% new French oak. Still, it shows remarkable underlying beauty, complexity and structure. It is a blockbuster that will do well in the cellar. Enjoy best from 2027 through 2037.”