Opened at church for a not quite killer bar. Good but not great. The 99 Chabot opened the week before at church (a goodly percentage of which goes into the Private Reserve) was much better. This bottle had the feeling of being not well kept, yet came from the same large WineBid cellar as the Chabot.
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After storing this for 18 years it came out as expected. The color was still good, the body did get lighter. Mouth feel was nice and easy! Good fruit up front through the middle with a pleasant finish that did not last long. I enjoyed it! It was good to remember 1999.
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Wine was completely oxidized. Tasted like well-oaked vinegar. Stored carefully for the last 10 years, but not sure about before it was in my possession. Received as a gift. Cork was in good shape.
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Auction purchase, Winebid Cork split, then went to dust though bottle had obviously been stored on its side for some time. This bottle showed older than previous tastings. Black olive, cassis. My 5/18 note says "years left". This bottle says "drink up."
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Turn of the Century Bordeaux vs. Napa Tasting; 12/1/2018-12/2/2018: The group preferred the Beringer over the Montrose this evening, in large part because the Montrose was really closed, backward while the Beringer was in really good shape, a wine that is showing off it's tertiary notes really well. To give you an idea, it was really hard to pick the Bordeaux. Great time to enjoy this wine.
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Just finished my last bottle of this vintage and wish i had more. Still has life in it. Good balance of fruit, tannins and acid. Finish was not overpowering but enough to make you want to have another sip.
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Decanted at 5 pm and drunk over the next 6 hours. Medium to dark, slightly translucent garnet. Nose has anise, vanilla, baking spice, cassis, earthy mushroom and a slightly volatile medicinal note. Tannin mostly resolved but still good acidity. Palate is lacking some fruit other than nondescript light black berry flavors, along with some spice and earthy elements. Finish is a bit short and thin. Very good but not great overall but reasonably well balanced.
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This wine plain and simple is fantastic. If you can buy it at a price that you consider a good deal, go long all day. Easily has several years left and drinking wonderfully.
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Just bought a case at auction. This wine is very well balanced. Burnt cherries, dark plum color, no bricking. You would think this is a 10 year old good solid cab. Well done Beringer! Probably 3-5 year window but why wait, drinking perfectly now. For $60 a bottle great QPR. Looking forward to drinking the other 11.
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Had balance ..... tonight ..... amidst some other really good bottles. This has held well overnight. The wine has great Cabernet presence. There are flavors of casssis, some fresh asphalt (despite age) and absolutely balanced tannins. Bravo to this wine.
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What an exceptional note on this wine from CT member OLDVINES. from the start of the nose to the finish CT member OLDVINES nailed it. I agree wholeheartedly and add ..... let decant for at least 1 hour as the notes reveal more flavors.
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Decanted at 5pm and tasted through 12pm with a glass or two left to try tomorrow. Dark garnet with a translucent edge that is not showing any bricking. Nose is full of smoke, earthy blackberry bramble, black licorice, spices and leather. Medium to full bodied with great viscosity and moderate alcohol, by modern standards at 13.9%. Rich and chewy with smoke, grilled meat, minerals, blackberries and tart sour cherry with some vanilla and a slightly medicinal flavor on the finish. Great with a grilled bone in rib eye steak. Youthful, balanced and rich. A very enjoyable glass in an old school Cali style.
Just on the back edge of the drinking window. Smooth and my lone bottle. Beautiful nose and it had notes of cedar, leather, tea, and smoke on the palate. Nice wine but I would drink soon based on my preference for wines. Another great private Reserve from Beringer. Now onto the newer vintages.
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very nice, my 6/20/16 note said it well, though this bottle had a little more grip (acidity, etc), so this wasn't bordering on soft at all... well done Beringer -- again
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Even better than the one last week. This is really hitting its stride for sure. I have had so many of these and depending where I get them really depends how good it will be. Proper storage is what sets them apart for sure. see previous notes
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really really nice, with a very smooth mouthfeel (feels like drink up to me!), just on the border of too soft for my liking but still great (and smooth to those who love smooth), no tannin perceptible and low - med acidity, nice red and blue fruits but not overpowering, blueberries and some leather on the palate, really easy drinking for pre- or post-dinner
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Beautiful cab. The nose of crushed, stewed (NOT cooked) fruit explodes from the bottle. This is chock-full of currant, cedar, blackberry, leather. Almost no tannin here, but just enough to keep it all together. Even on day 2, this was still full of life, although a little leaner. Thus, this should hold nicely for another 4-5 yrs.
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Remarkably elegant and polished. Old World nose with brown bricking around the edges. Dried dark berries followed by cherry paste and chocolate. Still possess an impressive firm structure. A finish that lingers on and on - still can go longer. 99 Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon Challenge
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Needed 2 hours to come alive. Soft, smooth, Red fruits, leather, wet wood, milk chocolate. Like an older bordeaux. Clearly past it prime but still really enjoyable.
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The strangest bottle of this I have opened yet. Lighter in color. Some bricking. This bottle was over powered by green olive notes for at least an hour or so before it settled down. It seemed to have lost the flavors of previous bottles. Perhaps an off bottle.
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Decanted for an hour and drank with prime rib. Nicole matured Napa cab. At peak or slowly descending. Drank alongside a 2004 and the 99 had lots less fruit and more secondary nuances. Drink soon.
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Nose of Toffee, coffee and vanilla pipe tobacco. Very smooth. Tannins well integrated. Seamless from start to finish. Excellent wine. Lighter in body withlots of wonderful flavors. I love this wine.
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Excellent bottle. Deep, rich flavors of coffee and dark chocolate. Good weight / Med bodied. Nicely balanced. very very smooth. A pleasure to drink from start to finish. Needs an hour of air to get going. But was very good upon opening. This bottle has been stored properly also.
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Harsh, bitter on opening. Much better after an hour of decanting. Brown edges. Well integrated, and great nose for a 15 year old wine. However, may be getting past its peak, and would recommend finishing remaining bottles soon.
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When opened was harsh and bitter. decanted one hour, served in big bowl glasses---was smooth and had medium body after tasting. looking forward to my last 3 bottles
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Good cork integrity. Started smooth with integrated tannins and subtle fruit. 30 min after decanting, went to aromas of coffee and then fell off a cliff into awful bitterness.
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Unlike previous reviewers, this bottle is not faded at all and is around its peak. Dark purple still with no browning at the edges, the nose sings with intense plum and cassis fruit and fresh citrus blossom, not aged leather or something that would be more expected from a 15 year old wine. This bottle still tastes fresh, with bright cherry, raspberry fruit and cassis and wild berry ascents, the mid-pallete then takes the fruit to a higher level as the finish glides to a silky texture and lingers for almost a minute when oak spicy notes emerge along with some mineral/crushed rocks. The tannins are so well integrated that the creamy feel in the mouth is a total pleasure, one of the best reserves in a while. Drink now or over the next 5-10 years. This wine was purchased from the winery in 2004, stored under temp controlled environment since 2011, basements before that; tasting note taken after about 4 hours of air in decanter.
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This is our fourth bottle in the past twelve months of PR. None of the bottles have shown the promise or complexity expected for a wine at this price level and presumed esteem.
Similar to prior bottles, this wine is very fatigued at this point. The aromas are very restrained, the palate limited, offering only limited hints of cassis with no secondary flavors. A short finish punctuates the overall disappointment with this wine.
We have one bottle left, and while I can't embrace the thought of pouring the wine (and money) down the drain, I likewise struggle with setting myself up for an evening of disappointment for the last bottle.
Very poor QPR. This once again reminds me of why I would prefer a Super Tuscan, Nebbiolo, Bordeaux, or Ribera to California. The price and quality of California continues to be disappointing.
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Screaming Eagle Showdown (Yellow Springs Inn): Part of a blind tasting of 1999 US Cabernets. I guessed this correctly as the Beringer, only because it was so clearly not in the same class as the other wines we tasted. A funky, herbaceous nose and very green on the palate. I thought perhaps the bottle was flawed in some way, but one taster had it as their top wine. May have suffered by comparison with some big boys.
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Served blind. Decanted for 75 minutes and drank over the next two to three hours. Nose was full of green pepper and the green continued on the choppy palate which had no finish. If this bottle is any indication, drink up soon!
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Ox-blood colored, full bodied, high alcohol Leather, spearmint, metallic paint, cherry wood, stewed black fruit off the nose-very complex Well balanced, with a medium (+) finish, some oak + vanilla, orange marmalade, soft
I think this wine has peaked, and is starting to diminish. It's lacking something, thus the lower score.
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Decanted 90 minutes. This has visual and aromatic signs of maturity, with ample bricking and cedary notes, but there's still a fair amount of cassis-driven fruit there. And very healthy tannin. I really enjoyed this with grilled flank steak tonight, but I question how much life lies ahead since the fruit seems to be fading a bit faster than the tannin. If you have any lefty, I'd drink in the next 12-18 mos. And enjoy! 91-92.
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This is the best bottle of three consumed over the last six months. After the two prior tastings, I was worried about how this was going to fare. This bottle has more characteristics of PR that I am used to. On the nose this has cassis, licorice, smoke, and leather. On the palate, this had acidity with very good cut, along with notes of tobacco, black cherry, and cassis. The tannins on this are well integrated and unlike my prior bottle, they support the fruit rather than drying it out on the palate. Not the flashiest finish on this, though there is a persistence consistent with the age.
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Layne's b-day. This wine has developed nicely (see previous notes). Dark red. Tannins have really smoothed as expected. Dark cherry and licorice fruit, big and bold with smooth finish. This is a fantastic wine and has cellared very well. It is definitely ready for drinking but not over the peak. Can last a few more years but why wait. Increased to 93 points.
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Had my last bottle of this wine tonight. Really wonderful. slight orange tint reflective of her maturity. complex nose of cherries, wood, flowers and i dont know what. Smooth fruit still brimming with strength and flavor and super silky tannins. Really a good Napa offering and right now she is beautiful.
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A lot of bricking but the nose is still quite strong. Black cheery, blackberry, and currant flavors. Oak is noticeable but not overdone. Very mature tasting. Drinking well but I wouldn't hold these much longer.
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This wine was consumed after 1 1/2 hours in the glass. The best description I can offer is fatigue for this wine. Comparing this to the 1996 PR, I found the 1996 to having much brighter aromas and flavor profile. On the nose, there is crème de cassis, leather, cedar, black cherry, and a light smoke. On the palate, this did offer more generous tannins and acidity than a bottle we blind tasted in December 2013. The challenge here is the fruit has dried out and this has a tannic dryness. There is an herbal quality to this wine, which masks the fruit, and limits the palate to somewhat linear flavors of raspberry and black cherry. This does have a reasonable length on the finish, but the fruit is what's holding this back.
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1 hr decant. Slight mustiness on the nose that eventually blew off. Dark fruit nose with some soy and green pepper. Medium body with blackberry, cassis, smoke, and slight green pepper note.
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Really tannic/oaky at first opening. After an hour in the bottle and 15-20 minutes in the glass - what a wonderful nose! Oak had blown off and nothing but fruit. A wonderful wine with some air. Too bad it was my last bottle.
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Over the hill and fading fast. Some green pepper and pencil lead on the nose and only a hint of red fruit on the palate. Given its balance I would imagine this was excellent at one point but it's likely about five years past its prime.
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Very nice mature Napa cabernet, showing secondary aromas of cedar, forest floor, herbs, some meat and pencil lead. Acid is still very prominent on the palate. Unfortunately, tannins are almost gone. Drink your bottles soon.
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Aerated with a Vinturi and decanted for 1.5 hours. A fantastic nose with aromas of currant, blackberry, red licorice, tobacco, cedar, black olive and vanilla. On the palate, a rich dark fruit core combines with very soft tannins and lead to a long finish. A mature, full bodied and well structured Napa cab. Paired with filet mignon and mustard cream sauce. Enjoyable and memorable.
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I held this single bottle for a good long while - and now I wish I had more. This was about as "smoothed-out" and long on the palate as you want a wine to be. It also retained plenty of primary fruit flavors.
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This is a FABULOUS Napa Cab at this point in time; it is mellow, smooth, rich, creamy, oaky, earthy, and well-balanced with the perfect amount of fruit and acidity, even after thirteen+ years after harvest. There are the usual Napa Cab black and red fruits (plums, blackberries, blueberries, and black cherries), a basket or two of savory herbs like sage and rosemary, gorgeously smooth, silky, perfectly-sweet oak and tannins, and an earthiness that just about any mushroom-loving wine drinker would die for.
Unlike most people, we try to buy wines and/or discover them (or as we receive them from our five winery wine clubs) and drink them from the oldest vintage to the newest vintage to allow the wines to age, mature, mellow, and develop to their fullest potential (at least to the fullest potential that our patience will allow). Is there anything better than friends/relatives who can afford to bring over beautifully-aged wines when we host a dinner party (e.g. the wine being reviewed here)?!?! In addition to this wine, we also opened and drank a 1998 Veuve Clicquot La Grand Dame to celebrate New Years Eve (this Cab Sav was MUCH better than the over-priced Champagne, which was also a gift from good friends about a year ago). If we had the means and the room, I would LOVE to buy fine wines by the case and allow them to mature and develop for a decade or more. This Napa Cab is a perfect example of how/why one should (if they can afford it) allow a wine with the appropriate structure to beautifully age, mellow, and develop over time to allow the wine to fully express itself to it’s fullest potential.
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It's a very nice a! Intergrated. Still plenty of dark fruit. Tannins have melted and the secondary flavors are beginning to show some spice, leather and cedar.
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Drank for my birthday dinner. Opened and decanted for about 45 minutes before pouring. The intial nose was pretty mild and subtle. On the palate it still had nice soft red fruit and a bit of leather and tabacco. By the second glass it was continuing to open and was showing even more fruit and a rounder finish. I wish I had a few more of these to try after about a 2-3 hour decant.
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I don't drink much American Cab, but really enjoyed this bottle. Very elegant and balanced. The dominant aroma and flavor was pencil lead, with cassis and other blackberry notes. They used a light hand with oak. At a great place right now, but no need to rush. I suspect this will be good for many years to come.
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Popped & poured after '94 Modavi Reserve Cab. - purple color with dark fruit, plum & a hint of chocolate - nice finish; a bit more tannins than the Mondavi
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Had 2 bottles. First was over the edge but the second held up well. If you have any left then recommend you consume asap but only after letting it breathe for a few hours
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An opulent wine with dark burgundy color. Drank extremely well, a very smooth california cab. Earthy with notes of plum on the nose. Light fruit, but long finish of spice, plum and tobacco.
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This bottle was past its prime. The fruit was gone and there were some astringent notes that made it unpleasant to taste. It must have been exposed to some warmer temps as it should not have aged this quickly. Also, the cork was fractionally above the lip of the bottle.
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Medium-bodied, soft, smooth, sweet, slightly raisony black cherry fruit, very good structure, well-balanced, very forward on the palate, sadly finishes very short, disappointing wine given its heritage and price
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Tasted side by side with a 1999 Paul Hobbs To Kalon at Zambrano Wine Cellar in downtown Fort Worth with Trey (sp?), our party of three, and Steve, an cooling systems engineer. This wine opened with a brittle cork that snapped mid-shaft. Dark, almost black stain on the cork. Wine was poured into the glass - a rather robust body and dense, dark red/light violet was appreciated. Wine was immediately sampled. The fruit was quite a bit muted and the only real thing I could get out of it was oak barrel, some muted fig, plum, cherry, blackberry, and some minerality. I think it was my brain thinking that I got some leather out of it, but it's doubtful I really did at this point. Acidity seemed a bit high and there was a tart characteristic to it in the mid-palate. As a "pop and pour" the Hobbs blew it away initially. Over the course of 45minutes, this wine did open but still was quite a bit muted. Blackberry, some blueberry, leather, spice in the mid-palate, oak on the back, all there. The oak did present itself a little more forcefully as it opened, seeping into the mid-palate and drying the mouth on the finish. Softer characteristics presented towards the end of the bottle and the wine became much more velvety with a glycerin-like presentation, but never matched or exceeded the Hobbs in this department. When consumed with duck and pepper salami, this wine was an excellent pairing. It was gone before the filet came out.....as was the Hobbs. This wine simply isn't ready yet, or if you want to drink it, double decant TWICE, wait an hour, and then go. In five years, this is a 96 to 97 point wine very easily, and would go toe to toe with the Hobbs. This is definitely wine made to age, whereas the Hobbs To Kalon might have 3-4 years left, maybe 5.
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- Brick color with slow forming legs and aromas of black pepper. It's in total harmony and has flavours of chocolate and black pepper with a medium/full body. Satin-Like texture with a long finish.
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Excellent with X-Mas standing rib roast and Yorkshire pudding. Don't think this will get any better. Still has planty of fruit with nicely integrated tannins.
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If you have some, drink up! Still shows some life on the nose and has good up front mouth feel but an abrupt finish for sure. Paired with a bone in rib eye at Press in St. Helena and compared side by side with a '99 Woodward Canyon Artist Series which was equally great and will go a bit longer in the cellar.
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This definitely required a good hour to blow off a saddle/sulfur spunk that it had on opening. After that, it opened to reveal a pleasantly mature Cali-Cab. Complex berry nose with hints of greenery, oak barrel and dark chocolate. Dark berry, chocolate, dirt, earth, dishrag and black pepper flavors with a bit of heat, moderate tannin and a bit of acidity to keep it snappy. Long finish, but with just a bit of heat. It looks like the mustiness is consistent in between my two opened bottles.
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Popped and poured this at 55 degrees. What a mistake. Had nice depth and structure but an odd funk. As this got some air, warmed up, and settled, it went from being an 82 pt wine to a 91 as that funk was absorbed and became a charming piece of a great wine.
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Still going strong after 12 years. Cedar, tobacco, plummy fruit on the nose. Palate: gobs of gorgeous plums, some cassis, even a little bit of black licorice, and a longer finish than I remembered from past bottles. Extra credit for shining so well at an age of senility for many of its peers in the class of '99.
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Nice body, great color. Starts a with a little green bell pepper that fads fast, VERY soft on the tounge! Middle to end dark fruit flavors and very slight oak. Finish lasts a few seconds. Past its prinme but still a winner.
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A good wine but not great right now, feels perhaps just a bit tired so maybe in a down phase. Still yet, nose of dirt with a hint of raspberry hints of oak. At first I thought might be very slightly corked, but my secondary taster who detects TCA at ppb said no, and I then concluded instead there was a certain dirty, mustiness to the wine. Is this from an old barrel, terrior, what? Needless to say, a couple of points were deducted because of this quasi-"flaw". Not that the mustiness was all that bad, it was just to far to the front of the flavor profile (perhaps the primary) to allow a higher rating. There was a nice, zippy raspberry mouthfeel but that mustiness crreps in on the finish. Sort of like a slightly moldy dishrag from my college days. Hopefully my other 2 bottles will be better.
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Currant, cassis, spice, earthy and leathery. Smokey oak on the finish. Nice acidity. Good length on the finish. The wine was more Bordeaux. The wine is a solid A-.
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Garnet to dark garnet color in the glass, clear hue throughout. Nose of leather, black cherries, white pepper and melted black licorice. Flavors of black berries, black cherries and a hint of balsamic. Medium acidity, tannins and body. Drink or hold Underachiever for this wine.
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CellarTracker Texas Offline; 5/21/2010-5/22/2010 (San Antonio): Opened for a short while and poured. Nose of red currant, dark chocolate, mint, cedar, black cherry. On the palate red currant, sour cherry, mint, spicy oak, plum. Finishes long. Had a little upside still. Drink or hold.
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CT Texas Offline; 5/21/2010-5/23/2010 (San Antonio): This showed very differently from a bottle tasted a few months ago, featuring more depth of fruit and the potential to be quite good in a few years time.
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Fair warning, I'm not a generally a fan of modern California wines. This seemed a bit too plummy and even a bit oaky. Perhaps that will resolve but I doubt it for some reason. This was good, but a bit flabby and one-dimensional after a nice Bordeaux.
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San Antonio Wine Geeks (The Home of Dave Lew): I had this in Napa at the winery and was hoping I wouldn’t get any of the green pepper/veggie notes that bottle. Unfortunately, the nose was again dominated by green pepper, with just a little cedar and tobacco coming through on the nose. Elegant subtle palate, quite distinctive in this tasting as it was not as concentrated as the other Cali cabs and was probably most similar to the Pichon-Baron in that respect. Palate has mature red fruits, tobacco leaf with an herbal twist…and a little green pepper. Medium finish, slightly clipped of slate and cedar. I’m a big fan of the Beringer PR, but not this vintage as I cant’ get past the green notes to enjoy what is otherwise a great mature and elegant Cali cab.
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Nice effort overall. Nose brought cedar and a kind of NY City taxi pine cone air freshener, along with a whiff of blackberry. It was nice to find a Napa Cab that wasn't dominated by cassis and fruit compote on the palate; this brought a hint of cassis, balanced by grilled sage and more cedar. But the finish was a bit hot, which was surprising given the relatively lithe profile. The ABV is listed at 13.9, but given ABV listing latitude I wondered if it wasn't fudged downward. Anyway, it wasn't ridiculously hot - more like Amy Adams compared to Scarlett Johansson. And nice to be able to see my fingers through the glass.
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Superb bottle of mature Cali cab. Beautifully elegant nose still had plenty of red and black fruits, but also had nice nuances of leather, cedar, tobacco, and forest floor. Full bodied palate had soft, round tannins with plenty of fruit, earth and minerals. Very nice, but not super long finish. Went perfectly with Allen Brothers filet mignon with the Doherty's. In a perfect window now, but should last a few years.
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New Years Eve for 4 @ my house (Midlothian, VA): Popped and poured, this bottle was singing, red fruits, mint and pencil shavingsin the nose, with the latter becoming more prominat after 3hrs it took to consume. Claret like on the palate with elegant red fruits, vanilla and cedar." Very berry" Very smooth long sweet finish. Certainly in it's drinking window, however based on this bottle plenty of life left. A great way to end the year!
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Dark garnet, somewhat translucent in the glass. Earth and dusty pepper on the nose overlaying cherry/dark currant fruit and cedar. Medium-full bodied. Showing a little green and austere for my preferences, but this outperformed a 1999 Pride Cab we tasted alongside it. Was pretty much unchanged the next day. Fine, but not exceptional.
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Tasted upon opening, and found it to be sour and thin. But after decanting an hour, it opened up beautifully. Nicely balanced tannins, full of cherries, fairly long finish. Excellent compliment to a Christmas Eve rib roast dinner.
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Pleasant color, clearly showing signs of maturity. Tobacco, wood, mint, a little dark fruit, and considerable bell pepper on the nose. Similar palate, still somewhat tannic, generally a mature profile but without funk or brett. Showed best after two hours of air. This wine showed better in its youth, not likely to improve a lot from here.
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Superb Thanksgiving wine. I have enjoyed this wine for several years; it is drinking at its peak. Agree with Nutty08's description, but no bell pepper whatsoever. The balance and restraint of the wine allowed it to complement the diverse foods on our table.
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Trip to Napa/Sonoma; 11/7/2009-11/14/2009 (Napa/Sonoma): Nose of bell pepper, currants and cedar. Lush palate with mostly integrated tannin. Palate is open and accessible, of mostly mocha and cedar with currants in the background. Lengthy complex finish with flint and cedar. Touch of slightly dry tannin. Very focused pleasant cab, but I found the bell pepper note distracting. Hopefully the bottle left will have less of this green/pepper note, otherwise, a great Cali style cab.
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I don't drink much American Cab, but may have to get more of this. Very elegant and balanced. The dominant aroma and flavor was pencil lead, with cassis and other blackberry notes. They used a light hand with oak. At a great place right now, I'll probably drink my last bottle within a year or two.
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A classic medium bodied Napa Cabernet, with notes of cassis, and spices, wrapped in cedar. Not a brute in any way, but very elegant, showing beautiful balance, nice acidity and blackberry flavors, with a hint of vanilla, along with a lingering finish.
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Beth & Zach after dinner. Opened and sat for 45 minutes while we did dishes after dinner. Dark, ruby color, tobacco, chocolate. blackberry, raspberry, medium bodied. Wine was firm on the palate, then opened with a burst of juicy cherry and tobacco. Very long, juicy finish. Less tannic than last bottle, which was still tight and tannic. 2 - 3 years and this wine will absolutely phenomenal. 1 hour decant should be sufficient.
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Had this with friends at Hinterland in Milwaukee. Clearly the WON in a great five bottle lineup including 95 Chateau Gruaud Larose. Drank with Antelope and Elk tenderloin and this wine was up to the challenge. The nose is ridiculous foretelling a huge wine to come. Dark fruits and Earthy it moves seamlessly from the front to the mid-palate exploding with flavor. Finishes elegantly like a great Bordeaux. This wine convinced me to start collecting every vintage of Beringer PR.
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Supple, plush and explosive with its Black fruits, leather, jalapeno peppers, and exotic tomato salsa notes flowing into the rich, complex, long finish. This is a wine to drink right now. -JD94
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Rich velvet color. Bit of toasty oak and dry fruit on the nose. Dry roses, red current. Little bit sour on the entry, moving to a nice dry fruit mid, big mouth feel of fruit. French like. Bitter chocolate, bright fruit on the back palate and a nice lingering sour strawberry thing happening. Gaining weight with a big wave of Napa fruit, pencil, lead, fresh cedar with chocolate, . . . nice. Tannins really still firm now with ample fruit there to age longer.
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From a magnum on a perfect summer night with Tony and Eric under the pergola. Grilled pork chops, home grown zucchini seviche and pasta Gorgonzola. Popped and poured--beautiful color in the glass of brown red. Onset was a little sharp but nice fruit. It then disappeared on the mid palate and then a soft medium bodied finish. Tannins are still strong. This is age-worthy for another 2-3 years if you like them on the old side. After about an hour in the bottle, it all came together strong. Harmonious.
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Initially a nose of earth and leather, with a flavor profile to match. Almost seemed to have a European pedigree, but, after a half hour the fruit came alive and the wine became more forward, and elegant, with a pure acidity. Light red brick color, medium bodied with finesse, freshness, and not power, tannins well integrated and mature.
The next day the acidity was persistant, with little change to the flavor profile of this wine------still so well balanced. Very enjoyable. Paid $90 USD for this bottle two months ago.
The '97 is more fruit oriented, more Napa like, but still a very elegant wine. Will open a '02 soon.
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Complex brick red, black fruit, currant, cedar and soft oak lead to rich flavors, excellent body that does not quit soft smooth vanilla, on the finish I love this wine and thankful for one more to go the tanins promise more years
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Excellent Cab that I think is at it's peak. Great fruit, smooth tannins, and long long finish. I wish I had another bottle or two. Drank along side a 1999 Chateau Montelena and the Beringer was the clear winner.
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This was truly an outstanding wine. This is definitely starting to peak now and in my opinion will make a tremendous asset to any special occasion meal if you can get one. Has some earthy tones and opened up nicely after decanting for a couple of hours. I love smooth wines and this one is just about there.
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Wow. This wine hit me the second I opened it. Almost bordeaux like in it's smell with a very earthy flavor and a little bit of dusty, leathery tack room scent. The nose also carries a black fruit aroma. On the pallet, it hits with sharp vigor. Lots of fresh bright cherry, combined with a middle of well rounded tannins and a well elongated finish. Very nice.
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Translucent ruby-red in the glass. This wine has a HUGE nose of raspberry, lavender and leather. Expressive and refined palate with a blast of sour red cherry and cassis, followed by layers of tobacco and spice. Round, juicy tannins and a hit of acidity make this mouth-watering. This is truly impressive, and drinking very well, although may be able to last a few more years in the bottle. Fantastic.
40+5+5+19+18+7=94
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This wine is insane and certainly not for the weak. It hits you with brass knuckles and follows with swings to the ribs. The nose is dense with flavors of mud, manure, and tar. I had to sniff it about 6 or 7 times to pick up some plum and currant but make no mistake this is a dirt bomb and a BIG ONE at that. In the mouth it’s melted dark bitter chocolate… like the kind they use for ice cream toppings. Some cedar and tobacco too. Imagine eating cherry preserve with melted chocolate in a cigar shop, that’s what this wine tastes like. The finish is wonderful but on the short side for a wine this big. I don’t know how much longer this will hold but it’s hard to image it can get much better. I’d buy more if I can find it under $150.
Remember, you don’t drink the label.
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Popped for one hourand poured, should have decanted a least one hour more. Notes are from the final glass, when it was singing. Nose of red currant, cedar, dark chocolate, black cherry. On the palate, blackberry, red currant, mocha, spicy oak, plum. Long finish with sturdy tannins. Outstanding. At the price paid, acceptable value. Drink or hold.
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Definately not up to what was experienced with previous bottles. The nose was old and dense. After an hour or two of decanting, it opened a little, but never came to life. Not much fruit in the mouth.
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I am confident in proclaiming that this bottle was peaking at the very moment we consumed it (after an hour of decanting). Compared to the '95, and '97 enjoyed over the past two years, the '99 was showing much better. A huge multi-dimensional nose showcased stunning aromas of currants, cedar, shoe polish, leather, dark chocolate and blueberry fruit. It is quite smooth and rich in the mouth, with an amazing sense of purity as well, showcasing flavors of dark fruits, and chocolate, and follwed by a medium to long finish that left a lingering note of brown sugar. At the moment, the '99 Private Reserve is utterly fantastic!
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I don't remember buying this, and wish I knew what I paid. This Francophile was surprised how much he liked it. Very subtle and elegant. Mostly primary flavors and aromas of cassis and blackberries with moist earth and graphite in the backround. Medium bodied, nice mouthfeel. A very polished wine. How did it get into my cellar?
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Nice wine. Nose with some fruit but mostly some earth, mineral , and plum. Complex palate with soft integrated tannins. Nice finish. Maturing and drinking very well right now.
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The wine was closed at first, but opened nicely after one hour plus in the decanter. Tannins have softened; the wine is drinkable now but it in no danger of passing its peak. Nose is full and complex, but not overwhelming. Notes of cassis, black currants, cedar. Good mouth feel; medium finish. Should last many more years.
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This is a very nice bottle of wine that continued to open up for 30 minutes after opening. Still has plenty of fruit with soft tannins. Will be drinkable for another 2-3 years
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Dark ruby, medium bodied, dark cherry, a bit of spice. Requires time to open. Tight and smooth. Very enjoyable sipping wine. Meritage-like for cabernet. Kim would like.
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Some maturity here. Nose was of mature cedar, wild berries, and autumn mulch. Taste was mildly senescent, with some hints of oxidation. Berry fruit gave way to plenty of wood, and loamy earth with hints of nutmeg and creamy coffee. Still very nice, but not improving.
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Aromas of coffee, plum, and cedar complement flavors of plum, anise, milk chocolate, and earth that are taut at first, but unfold on the palate. The tannins are burnished to a lambent kiss on the finish. Understated and polished.
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Light bodied compared to today's Cali cabs, which I like, but reasonable complexity. Good cigar box, cassis, leather and dark fruit. 20+ second finish. Good mid palate. I would take this over many of the 95 point cabs of today. Not in your face, more of a cool climate, sneak up on you type of wine. Lowered the score as it completely fell apart after one night. All in all, good if 1) you drink soon after opening and 2) you like more elegant, restrained cabs.
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(Drank at Charlie Palmer Steak.) I'm with the yeas on this one. It's a nicely balanced package of sweet currants, brown sugar, tobacco, and a little soy sauce. At nine years old, it's ready to roll -- the fruit is fresh, the tannins are fully integrated, and our bottle opens up with just a little decanting. Excellent stuff (though the '97 easily tops it).
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Really closed in and shut off. Barealy any sense of depth, fruit or complexity. Very disappointing. Hard to believe Beringer could mess up a wine like this from the great '99 vintage.
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For the first time, the private reserve was disappointing. We have had and loved the '95 and '96 (and still have a '97 in the cellar). This was just ok. Not much nose, not much complexity. Tannins reasonably integrated, but overall pretty one note. We had this early for "Open that bottle night" since I'm working on the 23rd. Not impressive. Drunk over 2 hours, not decanted, but no appreciable change over that time period.
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Decanted 40 minutes before dinner (NY Strip and twice baked) ... was at it's best 2 hours later ... well balanced ... tannins still present but plenty of fruit especially after the first hour. First time tasting this so not sure how it compares to when it was younger. Drinking great now, may have more time buy why wait? Still, deep and full even after 4 hours!
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Agree with other recent notes on this wine. Very smooth, excellent balance, varietally correct, tannins are there but in a good way, long pure finish. An excellent example of California cabernet that is refined and not over-the-top. Should hold for a few years but I would drink it now; it seems like an ideal candidate for pairing with a big hunk of cow.
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Went beautifully with Italian meals at BYOB restaurant. Dark fruits dominated but in a velvety refined package. More sophisticated than many of the big "in your face" Cali cabs that score so well these days. Tannins and structure seem in balance with the fruit for an American cab.
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Ruby-red. Highly nuanced nose combines currant, plum, smoky oak, minerals, licorice and mint. Wonderfully sweet, sappy and dense. The most complex of these '99 cabernets, with enticing flavors of currant, minerals and brown spices. Very long, slow-building finish features big but sweet and fine tannins. Suave and impressive. From 2007 tasting: * Cherry, brown spice, slightly earthy, cedar * Pretty and elegant with sweet fruit * Medium body, good finish
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Decanted for 1 hr. This wine exhibited a rich dark garnet/purple color with a nose filled with aromas of black cherries, plums, and blackberries with hints of licorice and oak. On the palate, flavors of plums and black cherries dominated with notes of minerality and mocha on the finish. Fruit still tasted quite fresh with nice acidity to support the wine, worked well with the steaks. Drink up if you have any! HS91
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This was unimpressive for the money. Every cab I have tasted from the 99 vintage is quite unexciting. I think Wine Spectator was off on the rating on this wine and the entire vintage. Hands down R Parker got this year right for CA Cabernet. Tasted two bottles several months apart with same results. Very light and mineral taste. Almost green.
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Dark red color with sweet fruit nose. Still a little bit tanic and harsh but smooth and velvety on the finish. Very good CA wine but at > $100/bottle, I would shop for '98 and '01 bordeaux.
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Fabulous Wine. We were gifted this bottle and it immediately became obvious that we needed to drink better wine! Very smooth on the finish with a depth of flavor unhear of in our experience.As relative newcomers we would rather not attribute a rating....
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Interesting for a cabernet sauvigon; not at all heavy; light on tannins?; almost a Pinot Noir-like lightness, but good. The second half of the bottle was better than the first, so open it up in advance.
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Red with some fading beginning at the rim. The nose hits with pencil and blackcurrant. On the palate, juicy blackcurrant makes up most of the immediate attack but then is followed by delightful, harmonious tobacco and chocolate flavours. The structure is superb - the tannin is integrated and fine, the acidity present, the alcohol under control. I was pleased by this surprisingly voluptuous wine.
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A wonderful nose of cherry, plum, and currant. The fruit on the attack was a nice plummy cherry and currant, but this cooled on the mid-palate and finish to what tasted like green tannins with hints of green olive which I was not a big fan of.
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Nice color and fruit forward blacberry, soft cedar, hint tobaco with firm tanins, better after a decant. Enjoyed this wine could of held for several more years
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12/8/2023 - Barnaby33 wrote:
Opened at church for a not quite killer bar. Good but not great. The 99 Chabot opened the week before at church (a goodly percentage of which goes into the Private Reserve) was much better. This bottle had the feeling of being not well kept, yet came from the same large WineBid cellar as the Chabot.
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8/10/2023 - bryon m Likes this wine: 91 Points
After storing this for 18 years it came out as expected. The color was still good, the body did get lighter. Mouth feel was nice and easy! Good fruit up front through the middle with a pleasant finish that did not last long. I enjoyed it! It was good to remember 1999.
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1/14/2023 - olioli wrote: 94 Points
Superbe Cali-Cab de 23 ans bien sonné.
Nez magnifique de poivrons, cassis, léger boisé, cuir.
Bouche mature où l'on retrouve ce beau poivron.
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5/7/2022 - Malc wrote: 85 Points
Past its drinkable age...
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3/1/2021 - BrunelloBob wrote: 91 Points
Auction purchase. Dry cork. I'm back to loving this.
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1/23/2021 - DaveGOakPark wrote: flawed
Wine was completely oxidized. Tasted like well-oaked vinegar. Stored carefully for the last 10 years, but not sure about before it was in my possession. Received as a gift. Cork was in good shape.
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7/17/2020 - BrunelloBob wrote: 89 Points
Auction purchase, Winebid
Cork split, then went to dust though bottle had obviously been stored on its side for some time. This bottle showed older than previous tastings. Black olive, cassis. My 5/18 note says "years left". This bottle says "drink up."
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8/2/2019 - jpwines wrote: 95 Points
We loved this wine--drank with Schallers
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7/25/2019 - orange boy wrote: 90 Points
touch spent but still great balance dark fruit
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1/5/2019 - newkid Likes this wine: 92 Points
Vibrant dark red fruit on nose and palate, with mellow intensity. Wouldn't expect any benefit from holding on any longer. Drink up.
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12/22/2018 - wicked Likes this wine: 92 Points
Last bottle. Still opening up nicely.
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12/1/2018 - jimyeni Likes this wine: 92 Points
Turn of the Century Bordeaux vs. Napa Tasting; 12/1/2018-12/2/2018: The group preferred the Beringer over the Montrose this evening, in large part because the Montrose was really closed, backward while the Beringer was in really good shape, a wine that is showing off it's tertiary notes really well. To give you an idea, it was really hard to pick the Bordeaux. Great time to enjoy this wine.
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9/11/2018 - Holdenculfield Likes this wine: 93 Points
Last bottle. If I can find more at the right price this is humming.
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6/14/2018 - Old Joe Likes this wine: 92 Points
Just finished my last bottle of this vintage and wish i had more. Still has life in it. Good balance of fruit, tannins and acid. Finish was not overpowering but enough to make you want to have another sip.
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6/3/2018 - floridawinedrkr Likes this wine: 94 Points
Showed outstanding 2 nights in row. Spectacular.
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5/12/2018 - BrunelloBob wrote: 91 Points
Auction purchase. PnP. Blackberry, cassis, back olive. Steak-wine-power. Napa. Years left 90-91
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12/2/2017 - oldwines Likes this wine: 92 Points
Decanted at 5 pm and drunk over the next 6 hours. Medium to dark, slightly translucent garnet. Nose has anise, vanilla, baking spice, cassis, earthy mushroom and a slightly volatile medicinal note. Tannin mostly resolved but still good acidity. Palate is lacking some fruit other than nondescript light black berry flavors, along with some spice and earthy elements. Finish is a bit short and thin. Very good but not great overall but reasonably well balanced.
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11/22/2017 - Holdenculfield wrote: 93 Points
This wine plain and simple is fantastic. If you can buy it at a price that you consider a good deal, go long all day. Easily has several years left and drinking wonderfully.
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10/13/2017 - Holdenculfield Likes this wine: 93 Points
Just bought a case at auction. This wine is very well balanced. Burnt cherries, dark plum color, no bricking. You would think this is a 10 year old good solid cab. Well done Beringer! Probably 3-5 year window but why wait, drinking perfectly now. For $60 a bottle great QPR. Looking forward to drinking the other 11.
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7/18/2017 - tomoem wrote: 93 Points
Had balance ..... tonight ..... amidst some other really good bottles. This has held well overnight. The wine has great Cabernet presence. There are flavors of casssis, some fresh asphalt (despite age) and absolutely balanced tannins. Bravo to this wine.
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7/17/2017 - tomoem wrote: 93 Points
What an exceptional note on this wine from CT member OLDVINES. from the start of the nose to the finish CT member OLDVINES nailed it. I agree wholeheartedly and add ..... let decant for at least 1 hour as the notes reveal more flavors.
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6/9/2017 - mwca Likes this wine: 98 Points
Little musty on the nose but exquisite taste.
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6/3/2017 - oldwines Likes this wine: 92 Points
Decanted at 5pm and tasted through 12pm with a glass or two left to try tomorrow. Dark garnet with a translucent edge that is not showing any bricking. Nose is full of smoke, earthy blackberry bramble, black licorice, spices and leather. Medium to full bodied with great viscosity and moderate alcohol, by modern standards at 13.9%. Rich and chewy with smoke, grilled meat, minerals, blackberries and tart sour cherry with some vanilla and a slightly medicinal flavor on the finish. Great with a grilled bone in rib eye steak. Youthful, balanced and rich. A very enjoyable glass in an old school Cali style.
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4/14/2017 - travelme Likes this wine: 92 Points
Just on the back edge of the drinking window. Smooth and my lone bottle. Beautiful nose and it had notes of cedar, leather, tea, and smoke on the palate. Nice wine but I would drink soon based on my preference for wines. Another great private Reserve from Beringer. Now onto the newer vintages.
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1/8/2017 - WoodieBayArea wrote: 92 Points
very nice, my 6/20/16 note said it well, though this bottle had a little more grip (acidity, etc), so this wasn't bordering on soft at all... well done Beringer -- again
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9/26/2016 - floridawinedrkr Likes this wine: 94 Points
Even better than the one last week. This is really hitting its stride for sure. I have had so many of these and depending where I get them really depends how good it will be. Proper storage is what sets them apart for sure. see previous notes
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9/14/2016 - floridawinedrkr Likes this wine: 93 Points
This was an excellent bottle. It had some life to it. A touch of oak, mushroom, tea leaves, wet wood, and cherry cola.
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6/20/2016 - WoodieBayArea wrote: 92 Points
really really nice, with a very smooth mouthfeel (feels like drink up to me!), just on the border of too soft for my liking but still great (and smooth to those who love smooth), no tannin perceptible and low - med acidity, nice red and blue fruits but not overpowering, blueberries and some leather on the palate, really easy drinking for pre- or post-dinner
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5/15/2016 - Haggis Likes this wine: 93 Points
Beautiful cab. The nose of crushed, stewed (NOT cooked) fruit explodes from the bottle. This is chock-full of currant, cedar, blackberry, leather. Almost no tannin here, but just enough to keep it all together. Even on day 2, this was still full of life, although a little leaner. Thus, this should hold nicely for another 4-5 yrs.
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4/16/2016 - wine maestro wrote: 95 Points
Remarkably elegant and polished. Old World nose with brown bricking around the edges. Dried dark berries followed by cherry paste and chocolate. Still possess an impressive firm structure. A finish that lingers on and on - still can go longer. 99 Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon Challenge
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4/9/2016 - floridawinedrkr Likes this wine: 88 Points
This one is surprisingly medicinal. Lots of cough syrup notes, eucalyptus, menthol. Not great.
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3/15/2016 - spendergast Likes this wine: 94 Points
An excellent cab blend with notes of cassis, black raspberry and currant with soft tannins. Should drink well for at least another 5 years.
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3/9/2016 - orange boy wrote: 89 Points
surprisingly good bit weak but balanced
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3/4/2016 - floridawinedrkr Likes this wine: 91 Points
Drank along side the 1996 and it couldn't hold up. Still very good though. see previous notes.
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10/24/2015 - floridawinedrkr Likes this wine: 91 Points
3 hour decant. Smooth, soft, and very easy to drink.
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10/15/2015 - floridawinedrkr Likes this wine: 91 Points
Needed 2 hours to come alive. Soft, smooth, Red fruits, leather, wet wood, milk chocolate. Like an older bordeaux. Clearly past it prime but still really enjoyable.
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10/4/2015 - floridawinedrkr Likes this wine: 91 Points
The strangest bottle of this I have opened yet. Lighter in color. Some bricking. This bottle was over powered by green olive notes for at least an hour or so before it settled down. It seemed to have lost the flavors of previous bottles. Perhaps an off bottle.
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9/26/2015 - stevenrcagle Likes this wine: 91 Points
Over the hill now but not complaining. Previous bottles were much better though.
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8/16/2015 - rwilk_2000 wrote: 92 Points
Decanted for an hour and drank with prime rib. Nicole matured Napa cab. At peak or slowly descending. Drank alongside a 2004 and the 99 had lots less fruit and more secondary nuances. Drink soon.
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7/24/2015 - floridawinedrkr Likes this wine: 93 Points
Excellent upon opening but better with 1-2 hours. Huge grape and blueberry with cola flavors. Lighter mouth feel. Great summer wine. So easy to drink.
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7/5/2015 - stevenrcagle Likes this wine: 92 Points
See pervious notes. Fading a bit now. Drink up!
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7/3/2015 - floridawinedrkr Likes this wine: 94 Points
Nose of Toffee, coffee and vanilla pipe tobacco. Very smooth. Tannins well integrated. Seamless from start to finish. Excellent wine. Lighter in body withlots of wonderful flavors. I love this wine.
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5/24/2015 - floridawinedrkr Likes this wine: 93 Points
Excellent bottle. Deep, rich flavors of coffee and dark chocolate. Good weight / Med bodied. Nicely balanced. very very smooth. A pleasure to drink from start to finish. Needs an hour of air to get going. But was very good upon opening. This bottle has been stored properly also.
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5/9/2015 - Ranjan wrote: 93 Points
Harsh, bitter on opening. Much better after an hour of decanting. Brown edges. Well integrated, and great nose for a 15 year old wine. However, may be getting past its peak, and would recommend finishing remaining bottles soon.
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5/9/2015 - tacmhh wrote: 92 Points
When opened was harsh and bitter. decanted one hour, served in big bowl glasses---was smooth and had medium body after tasting. looking forward to my last 3 bottles
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12/27/2014 - Geaux Tigers wrote: 89 Points
Good cork integrity. Started smooth with integrated tannins and subtle fruit. 30 min after decanting, went to aromas of coffee and then fell off a cliff into awful bitterness.
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10/9/2014 - SchlaepDog Likes this wine: 95 Points
Unlike previous reviewers, this bottle is not faded at all and is around its peak. Dark purple still with no browning at the edges, the nose sings with intense plum and cassis fruit and fresh citrus blossom, not aged leather or something that would be more expected from a 15 year old wine. This bottle still tastes fresh, with bright cherry, raspberry fruit and cassis and wild berry ascents, the mid-pallete then takes the fruit to a higher level as the finish glides to a silky texture and lingers for almost a minute when oak spicy notes emerge along with some mineral/crushed rocks. The tannins are so well integrated that the creamy feel in the mouth is a total pleasure, one of the best reserves in a while. Drink now or over the next 5-10 years.
This wine was purchased from the winery in 2004, stored under temp controlled environment since 2011, basements before that; tasting note taken after about 4 hours of air in decanter.
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9/3/2014 - COWineLover wrote: 85 Points
This is our fourth bottle in the past twelve months of PR. None of the bottles have shown the promise or complexity expected for a wine at this price level and presumed esteem.
Similar to prior bottles, this wine is very fatigued at this point. The aromas are very restrained, the palate limited, offering only limited hints of cassis with no secondary flavors. A short finish punctuates the overall disappointment with this wine.
We have one bottle left, and while I can't embrace the thought of pouring the wine (and money) down the drain, I likewise struggle with setting myself up for an evening of disappointment for the last bottle.
Very poor QPR. This once again reminds me of why I would prefer a Super Tuscan, Nebbiolo, Bordeaux, or Ribera to California. The price and quality of California continues to be disappointing.
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8/31/2014 - jhngo Likes this wine: 85 Points
slight funk at open blows off and has nice oak
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7/29/2014 - JimN Does not like this wine: 82 Points
Screaming Eagle Showdown (Yellow Springs Inn): Part of a blind tasting of 1999 US Cabernets. I guessed this correctly as the Beringer, only because it was so clearly not in the same class as the other wines we tasted. A funky, herbaceous nose and very green on the palate. I thought perhaps the bottle was flawed in some way, but one taster had it as their top wine. May have suffered by comparison with some big boys.
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7/29/2014 - PSUSteve Does not like this wine: 88 Points
Served blind. Decanted for 75 minutes and drank over the next two to three hours. Nose was full of green pepper and the green continued on the choppy palate which had no finish. If this bottle is any indication, drink up soon!
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6/11/2014 - Genghis88 Likes this wine: 88 Points
Ox-blood colored, full bodied, high alcohol
Leather, spearmint, metallic paint, cherry wood, stewed black fruit off the nose-very complex
Well balanced, with a medium (+) finish, some oak + vanilla,
orange marmalade, soft
I think this wine has peaked, and is starting to diminish. It's lacking something, thus the lower score.
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6/7/2014 - Sbvero wrote: 94 Points
Still strong at 15 years. May not get any better but may hold up for 5 more years
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5/24/2014 - jmull Likes this wine: 91 Points
Decanted 90 minutes. This has visual and aromatic signs of maturity, with ample bricking and cedary notes, but there's still a fair amount of cassis-driven fruit there. And very healthy tannin. I really enjoyed this with grilled flank steak tonight, but I question how much life lies ahead since the fruit seems to be fading a bit faster than the tannin. If you have any lefty, I'd drink in the next 12-18 mos. And enjoy! 91-92.
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5/23/2014 - COWineLover wrote: 90 Points
This is the best bottle of three consumed over the last six months. After the two prior tastings, I was worried about how this was going to fare. This bottle has more characteristics of PR that I am used to. On the nose this has cassis, licorice, smoke, and leather. On the palate, this had acidity with very good cut, along with notes of tobacco, black cherry, and cassis. The tannins on this are well integrated and unlike my prior bottle, they support the fruit rather than drying it out on the palate. Not the flashiest finish on this, though there is a persistence consistent with the age.
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5/21/2014 - kietkopelli wrote: 88 Points
The last 5 years has not been good for this wine. It totally lost its punch and tastes like weak supermarket stuff.
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5/19/2014 - stevenrcagle wrote: 93 Points
Layne's b-day. This wine has developed nicely (see previous notes). Dark red. Tannins have really smoothed as expected. Dark cherry and licorice fruit, big and bold with smooth finish. This is a fantastic wine and has cellared very well. It is definitely ready for drinking but not over the peak. Can last a few more years but why wait. Increased to 93 points.
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4/24/2014 - brubron Likes this wine:
Had my last bottle of this wine tonight. Really wonderful. slight orange tint reflective of her maturity. complex nose of cherries, wood, flowers and i dont know what. Smooth fruit still brimming with strength and flavor and super silky tannins. Really a good Napa offering and right now she is beautiful.
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4/5/2014 - kmack wrote:
A lot of bricking but the nose is still quite strong. Black cheery, blackberry, and currant flavors. Oak is noticeable but not overdone. Very mature tasting. Drinking well but I wouldn't hold these much longer.
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3/17/2014 - COWineLover wrote: 89 Points
This wine was consumed after 1 1/2 hours in the glass. The best description I can offer is fatigue for this wine. Comparing this to the 1996 PR, I found the 1996 to having much brighter aromas and flavor profile. On the nose, there is crème de cassis, leather, cedar, black cherry, and a light smoke. On the palate, this did offer more generous tannins and acidity than a bottle we blind tasted in December 2013. The challenge here is the fruit has dried out and this has a tannic dryness. There is an herbal quality to this wine, which masks the fruit, and limits the palate to somewhat linear flavors of raspberry and black cherry. This does have a reasonable length on the finish, but the fruit is what's holding this back.
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1/27/2014 - bobpsi wrote: 90 Points
1 hr decant.
Slight mustiness on the nose that eventually blew off. Dark fruit nose with some soy and green pepper. Medium body with blackberry, cassis, smoke, and slight green pepper note.
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1/20/2014 - skinut Likes this wine: 92 Points
Really tannic/oaky at first opening. After an hour in the bottle and 15-20 minutes in the glass - what a wonderful nose! Oak had blown off and nothing but fruit. A wonderful wine with some air. Too bad it was my last bottle.
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1/5/2014 - matthyson wrote: 82 Points
Over the hill and fading fast. Some green pepper and pencil lead on the nose and only a hint of red fruit on the palate. Given its balance I would imagine this was excellent at one point but it's likely about five years past its prime.
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12/31/2013 - wbduval Likes this wine: 91 Points
Rich and smooth. Went very well with filets and risotto. Finish is starting to fade, so would advise to drink any you have soon.
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12/28/2013 - Good Stuff Likes this wine: 91 Points
solid cab, great with steak
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12/24/2013 - COWineLover wrote: 86 Points
Poured for family to serve with a Christmas Eve prime rib. Not very elegant or complex. Fruit is disappointing and fading quickly. Drink up.
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9/5/2013 - grafighter wrote: 91 Points
Consistent with my last note.
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8/3/2013 - grafighter wrote: 91 Points
Very nice mature Napa cabernet, showing secondary aromas of cedar, forest floor, herbs, some meat and pencil lead. Acid is still very prominent on the palate. Unfortunately, tannins are almost gone. Drink your bottles soon.
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4/13/2013 - hoservin wrote: 94 Points
Aerated with a Vinturi and decanted for 1.5 hours. A fantastic nose with aromas of currant, blackberry, red licorice, tobacco, cedar, black olive and vanilla. On the palate, a rich dark fruit core combines with very soft tannins and lead to a long finish. A mature, full bodied and well structured Napa cab. Paired with filet mignon and mustard cream sauce. Enjoyable and memorable.
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3/8/2013 - gmat5497 Likes this wine: 93 Points
Very balanced. Plenty of fruit. Great wine.
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3/2/2013 - jdinkin1 wrote: 91 Points
Smooth and delicious. Tannins have smoothed out. Well balanced and velvety.
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1/22/2013 - JBD wrote: 93 Points
I held this single bottle for a good long while - and now I wish I had more. This was about as "smoothed-out" and long on the palate as you want a wine to be. It also retained plenty of primary fruit flavors.
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12/31/2012 - DaveZack Likes this wine: 93 Points
This is a FABULOUS Napa Cab at this point in time; it is mellow, smooth, rich, creamy, oaky, earthy, and well-balanced with the perfect amount of fruit and acidity, even after thirteen+ years after harvest. There are the usual Napa Cab black and red fruits (plums, blackberries, blueberries, and black cherries), a basket or two of savory herbs like sage and rosemary, gorgeously smooth, silky, perfectly-sweet oak and tannins, and an earthiness that just about any mushroom-loving wine drinker would die for.
Unlike most people, we try to buy wines and/or discover them (or as we receive them from our five winery wine clubs) and drink them from the oldest vintage to the newest vintage to allow the wines to age, mature, mellow, and develop to their fullest potential (at least to the fullest potential that our patience will allow). Is there anything better than friends/relatives who can afford to bring over beautifully-aged wines when we host a dinner party (e.g. the wine being reviewed here)?!?! In addition to this wine, we also opened and drank a 1998 Veuve Clicquot La Grand Dame to celebrate New Years Eve (this Cab Sav was MUCH better than the over-priced Champagne, which was also a gift from good friends about a year ago). If we had the means and the room, I would LOVE to buy fine wines by the case and allow them to mature and develop for a decade or more. This Napa Cab is a perfect example of how/why one should (if they can afford it) allow a wine with the appropriate structure to beautifully age, mellow, and develop over time to allow the wine to fully express itself to it’s fullest potential.
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12/1/2012 - dougwine wrote: 93 Points
It's a very nice a! Intergrated. Still plenty of dark fruit. Tannins have melted and the secondary flavors are beginning to show some spice, leather and cedar.
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11/18/2012 - Radboy wrote: 92 Points
A very nice effort with an elegant complexity that was very Bordeaux like.
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9/3/2012 - Marc_Iadarola wrote: 91 Points
Drank for my birthday dinner. Opened and decanted for about 45 minutes before pouring. The intial nose was pretty mild and subtle. On the palate it still had nice soft red fruit and a bit of leather and tabacco. By the second glass it was continuing to open and was showing even more fruit and a rounder finish. I wish I had a few more of these to try after about a 2-3 hour decant.
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9/3/2012 - WST wrote: 92 Points
I don't drink much American Cab, but really enjoyed this bottle. Very elegant and balanced. The dominant aroma and flavor was pencil lead, with cassis and other blackberry notes. They used a light hand with oak. At a great place right now, but no need to rush. I suspect this will be good for many years to come.
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8/24/2012 - Fishboy wrote: 91 Points
Favorite bottle of the night.
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7/6/2012 - guitarguy wrote: 91 Points
Good, maybe a bit long in the tooth. Drink now.
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7/5/2012 - BigBoy_Sonoma Likes this wine: 86 Points
Dark fruit, candied fruit, cassis, smokey oak, smokey oak. B
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6/23/2012 - nogohawk wrote: 91 Points
Popped & poured after '94 Modavi Reserve Cab. - purple color with dark fruit, plum & a hint of chocolate - nice finish; a bit more tannins than the Mondavi
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6/18/2012 - Decster wrote: 89 Points
Had 2 bottles. First was over the edge but the second held up well. If you have any left then recommend you consume asap but only after letting it breathe for a few hours
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6/16/2012 - Madelaine wrote: 88 Points
Definitely benefitted from a few hours in the decanter
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5/5/2012 - meyerja wrote: 93 Points
An opulent wine with dark burgundy color. Drank extremely well, a very smooth california cab. Earthy with notes of plum on the nose. Light fruit, but long finish of spice, plum and tobacco.
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5/5/2012 - TSTEW22 Likes this wine: 93 Points
Drinking very well. Velvety soft tannins and plenty of fruity goodness. Must buy more.
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4/28/2012 - n2wine wrote: 91 Points
A very smooth wine with subdued dark fruit and spice flavors. A very enjoyable wine.
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4/8/2012 - Decster wrote: 87 Points
Past its prime. Not lots of fruit but some cherry, plum and liquorice. Was OK with rack of lamb but better with a slightly melted brownie.
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3/17/2012 - nogohawk wrote: 91 Points
Decant for 30 mins. - purple color with dark fruit, plum & a hint of chocolate - nice finish
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3/4/2012 - n2wine wrote: 91 Points
Dark fruit and spice on the nose. Some acidity still around. Slightly tart. Short finish. Smooth tannins. Very good wine.
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2/16/2012 - D.Callahan wrote:
This bottle was past its prime. The fruit was gone and there were some astringent notes that made it unpleasant to taste. It must have been exposed to some warmer temps as it should not have aged this quickly. Also, the cork was fractionally above the lip of the bottle.
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1/28/2012 - Amerique wrote: 91 Points
Medium-bodied, soft, smooth, sweet, slightly raisony black cherry fruit, very good structure, well-balanced, very forward on the palate, sadly finishes very short, disappointing wine given its heritage and price
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1/14/2012 - mflesh wrote: 93 Points
Tasted side by side with a 1999 Paul Hobbs To Kalon at Zambrano Wine Cellar in downtown Fort Worth with Trey (sp?), our party of three, and Steve, an cooling systems engineer. This wine opened with a brittle cork that snapped mid-shaft. Dark, almost black stain on the cork. Wine was poured into the glass - a rather robust body and dense, dark red/light violet was appreciated. Wine was immediately sampled. The fruit was quite a bit muted and the only real thing I could get out of it was oak barrel, some muted fig, plum, cherry, blackberry, and some minerality. I think it was my brain thinking that I got some leather out of it, but it's doubtful I really did at this point. Acidity seemed a bit high and there was a tart characteristic to it in the mid-palate. As a "pop and pour" the Hobbs blew it away initially. Over the course of 45minutes, this wine did open but still was quite a bit muted. Blackberry, some blueberry, leather, spice in the mid-palate, oak on the back, all there. The oak did present itself a little more forcefully as it opened, seeping into the mid-palate and drying the mouth on the finish. Softer characteristics presented towards the end of the bottle and the wine became much more velvety with a glycerin-like presentation, but never matched or exceeded the Hobbs in this department. When consumed with duck and pepper salami, this wine was an excellent pairing. It was gone before the filet came out.....as was the Hobbs. This wine simply isn't ready yet, or if you want to drink it, double decant TWICE, wait an hour, and then go. In five years, this is a 96 to 97 point wine very easily, and would go toe to toe with the Hobbs. This is definitely wine made to age, whereas the Hobbs To Kalon might have 3-4 years left, maybe 5.
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1/8/2012 - DonMcGowan wrote: 93 Points
- Brick color with slow forming legs and aromas of black pepper. It's in total harmony and has flavours of chocolate and black pepper with a medium/full body. Satin-Like texture with a long finish.
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12/25/2011 - ChasDSM wrote: 92 Points
Excellent with X-Mas standing rib roast and Yorkshire pudding. Don't think this will get any better. Still has planty of fruit with nicely integrated tannins.
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12/5/2011 - kgh wrote: 92 Points
Still showing nicely, with softened tannins and medium body. Smooth raspberry, cinnamon, and wood flavors. Decanted 30 minutes.
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10/20/2011 - TSTEW22 Likes this wine: 91 Points
If you have some, drink up! Still shows some life on the nose and has good up front mouth feel but an abrupt finish for sure. Paired with a bone in rib eye at Press in St. Helena and compared side by side with a '99 Woodward Canyon Artist Series which was equally great and will go a bit longer in the cellar.
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8/11/2011 - guitarguy wrote: 91 Points
This definitely required a good hour to blow off a saddle/sulfur spunk that it had on opening. After that, it opened to reveal a pleasantly mature Cali-Cab. Complex berry nose with hints of greenery, oak barrel and dark chocolate. Dark berry, chocolate, dirt, earth, dishrag and black pepper flavors with a bit of heat, moderate tannin and a bit of acidity to keep it snappy. Long finish, but with just a bit of heat. It looks like the mustiness is consistent in between my two opened bottles.
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7/18/2011 - korkd wrote: 94 Points
Very good, surprising not showing much sign of age, still cedar nose, tart fruit.
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7/3/2011 - welchcellars Likes this wine: 91 Points
Popped and poured this at 55 degrees. What a mistake. Had nice depth and structure but an odd funk. As this got some air, warmed up, and settled, it went from being an 82 pt wine to a 91 as that funk was absorbed and became a charming piece of a great wine.
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4/26/2011 - rdfech01 wrote: 94 Points
Still fresh. Nose of dark cherry, cedar. Full mouth feel, smooth tannins, long finish. Just as it should be.
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3/25/2011 - eudora wrote: 94 Points
Still going strong after 12 years. Cedar, tobacco, plummy fruit on the nose. Palate: gobs of gorgeous plums, some cassis, even a little bit of black licorice, and a longer finish than I remembered from past bottles. Extra credit for shining so well at an age of senility for many of its peers in the class of '99.
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3/12/2011 - Ranjan wrote: 92 Points
Poured and drank without decanting. Opened up after 2 hours. Musty nose, but fruity. Smooth finish, ready to drink. Very little tannins.
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2/16/2011 - dannyk8232 wrote: 92 Points
Love it. I want more. Seems to be fully at peak....leather, spice, earth. In a good place right now.
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12/24/2010 - bryon m wrote: 91 Points
Nice body, great color. Starts a with a little green bell pepper that fads fast, VERY soft on the tounge! Middle to end dark fruit flavors and very slight oak. Finish lasts a few seconds. Past its prinme but still a winner.
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10/3/2010 - guitarguy wrote: 90 Points
A good wine but not great right now, feels perhaps just a bit tired so maybe in a down phase. Still yet, nose of dirt with a hint of raspberry hints of oak. At first I thought might be very slightly corked, but my secondary taster who detects TCA at ppb said no, and I then concluded instead there was a certain dirty, mustiness to the wine. Is this from an old barrel, terrior, what? Needless to say, a couple of points were deducted because of this quasi-"flaw". Not that the mustiness was all that bad, it was just to far to the front of the flavor profile (perhaps the primary) to allow a higher rating. There was a nice, zippy raspberry mouthfeel but that mustiness crreps in on the finish. Sort of like a slightly moldy dishrag from my college days. Hopefully my other 2 bottles will be better.
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9/25/2010 - BigBoy_Sonoma Likes this wine: 91 Points
Currant, cassis, spice, earthy and leathery. Smokey oak on the finish. Nice acidity. Good length on the finish. The wine was more Bordeaux. The wine is a solid A-.
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5/22/2010 - wineismylife wrote: 90 Points
CellarTracker Texas Offline - Part Two: WIML90
Garnet to dark garnet color in the glass, clear hue throughout. Nose of leather, black cherries, white pepper and melted black licorice. Flavors of black berries, black cherries and a hint of balsamic. Medium acidity, tannins and body. Drink or hold Underachiever for this wine.
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5/22/2010 - GalvezGuy wrote: 92 Points
CellarTracker Texas Offline; 5/21/2010-5/22/2010 (San Antonio): Opened for a short while and poured. Nose of red currant, dark chocolate, mint, cedar, black cherry. On the palate red currant, sour cherry, mint, spicy oak, plum. Finishes long. Had a little upside still. Drink or hold.
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5/22/2010 - petitblanc wrote: 91 Points
CT Texas Offline; 5/21/2010-5/23/2010 (San Antonio): This showed very differently from a bottle tasted a few months ago, featuring more depth of fruit and the potential to be quite good in a few years time.
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4/2/2010 - JoakimSternberg Likes this wine: 90 Points
Nice red color. Heavy on the nose, somewhat flowery. Fruit bomb cab from napa, load of flavours, cherry, cassis and blackberry.
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3/25/2010 - jmcdtucson wrote: 87 Points
Fair warning, I'm not a generally a fan of modern California wines. This seemed a bit too plummy and even a bit oaky. Perhaps that will resolve but I doubt it for some reason. This was good, but a bit flabby and one-dimensional after a nice Bordeaux.
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3/19/2010 - Nutty08 wrote: 89 Points
San Antonio Wine Geeks (The Home of Dave Lew): I had this in Napa at the winery and was hoping I wouldn’t get any of the green pepper/veggie notes that bottle. Unfortunately, the nose was again dominated by green pepper, with just a little cedar and tobacco coming through on the nose. Elegant subtle palate, quite distinctive in this tasting as it was not as concentrated as the other Cali cabs and was probably most similar to the Pichon-Baron in that respect. Palate has mature red fruits, tobacco leaf with an herbal twist…and a little green pepper. Medium finish, slightly clipped of slate and cedar. I’m a big fan of the Beringer PR, but not this vintage as I cant’ get past the green notes to enjoy what is otherwise a great mature and elegant Cali cab.
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1/30/2010 - Evan Dawson wrote: 87 Points
Nice effort overall. Nose brought cedar and a kind of NY City taxi pine cone air freshener, along with a whiff of blackberry. It was nice to find a Napa Cab that wasn't dominated by cassis and fruit compote on the palate; this brought a hint of cassis, balanced by grilled sage and more cedar. But the finish was a bit hot, which was surprising given the relatively lithe profile. The ABV is listed at 13.9, but given ABV listing latitude I wondered if it wasn't fudged downward. Anyway, it wasn't ridiculously hot - more like Amy Adams compared to Scarlett Johansson. And nice to be able to see my fingers through the glass.
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1/2/2010 - bmarshall wrote: 93 Points
Superb bottle of mature Cali cab. Beautifully elegant nose still had plenty of red and black fruits, but also had nice nuances of leather, cedar, tobacco, and forest floor. Full bodied palate had soft, round tannins with plenty of fruit, earth and minerals. Very nice, but not super long finish. Went perfectly with Allen Brothers filet mignon with the Doherty's. In a perfect window now, but should last a few years.
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1/1/2010 - wineshaman wrote: 93 Points
New Years Eve for 4 @ my house (Midlothian, VA): Popped and poured, this bottle was singing, red fruits, mint and pencil shavingsin the nose, with the latter becoming more prominat after 3hrs it took to consume. Claret like on the palate with elegant red fruits, vanilla and cedar." Very berry" Very smooth long sweet finish. Certainly in it's drinking window, however based on this bottle plenty of life left. A great way to end the year!
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12/24/2009 - OneLastSyrah wrote:
Dark garnet, somewhat translucent in the glass. Earth and dusty pepper on the nose overlaying cherry/dark currant fruit and cedar. Medium-full bodied. Showing a little green and austere for my preferences, but this outperformed a 1999 Pride Cab we tasted alongside it. Was pretty much unchanged the next day. Fine, but not exceptional.
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12/24/2009 - timdrex wrote: 92 Points
Tasted upon opening, and found it to be sour and thin. But after decanting an hour, it opened up beautifully. Nicely balanced tannins, full of cherries, fairly long finish. Excellent compliment to a Christmas Eve rib roast dinner.
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12/18/2009 - petitblanc wrote: 91 Points
Pleasant color, clearly showing signs of maturity. Tobacco, wood, mint, a little dark fruit, and considerable bell pepper on the nose. Similar palate, still somewhat tannic, generally a mature profile but without funk or brett. Showed best after two hours of air. This wine showed better in its youth, not likely to improve a lot from here.
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11/26/2009 - rdfech01 wrote: 91 Points
Nose of dark cherry and cassis. Still youthful with tobacco, dark fruit, fine tannins with medium long finish. Classic California cabernet.
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11/26/2009 - eudora wrote: 94 Points
Superb Thanksgiving wine. I have enjoyed this wine for several years; it is drinking at its peak. Agree with Nutty08's description, but no bell pepper whatsoever. The balance and restraint of the wine allowed it to complement the diverse foods on our table.
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11/21/2009 - J-Sho wrote: 91 Points
see previous
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11/16/2009 - JeremyQ wrote: 91 Points
Nicely restrained, smooth and balance. A very nice wine, should drink up in the next year or so. 91-92pts
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11/11/2009 - Nutty08 wrote: 91 Points
Trip to Napa/Sonoma; 11/7/2009-11/14/2009 (Napa/Sonoma): Nose of bell pepper, currants and cedar. Lush palate with mostly integrated tannin. Palate is open and accessible, of mostly mocha and cedar with currants in the background. Lengthy complex finish with flint and cedar. Touch of slightly dry tannin. Very focused pleasant cab, but I found the bell pepper note distracting. Hopefully the bottle left will have less of this green/pepper note, otherwise, a great Cali style cab.
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10/28/2009 - WST wrote: 92 Points
I don't drink much American Cab, but may have to get more of this. Very elegant and balanced. The dominant aroma and flavor was pencil lead, with cassis and other blackberry notes. They used a light hand with oak. At a great place right now, I'll probably drink my last bottle within a year or two.
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10/28/2009 - Slvrfish wrote: 88 Points
Anniversary wine #3 of 6. Out classed this evening.
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10/23/2009 - emf wrote:
This bottle was not good, it had faded. We tried to ddecant and give it time but it never improved.
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10/4/2009 - Tom_B wrote: 93 Points
A classic medium bodied Napa Cabernet, with notes of cassis, and spices, wrapped in cedar. Not a brute in any way, but very elegant, showing beautiful balance, nice acidity and blackberry flavors, with a hint of vanilla, along with a lingering finish.
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9/25/2009 - ptelgenh wrote: 93 Points
Very nice bottle that's certainly softened. Medium - High oak with mild tannins. Drink now.
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9/20/2009 - stevenrcagle wrote: 92 Points
Beth & Zach after dinner. Opened and sat for 45 minutes while we did dishes after dinner. Dark, ruby color, tobacco, chocolate. blackberry, raspberry, medium bodied. Wine was firm on the palate, then opened with a burst of juicy cherry and tobacco. Very long, juicy finish. Less tannic than last bottle, which was still tight and tannic. 2 - 3 years and this wine will absolutely phenomenal. 1 hour decant should be sufficient.
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8/26/2009 - Badgerwino wrote:
Had this with friends at Hinterland in Milwaukee. Clearly the WON in a great five bottle lineup including 95 Chateau Gruaud Larose. Drank with Antelope and Elk tenderloin and this wine was up to the challenge. The nose is ridiculous foretelling a huge wine to come. Dark fruits and Earthy it moves seamlessly from the front to the mid-palate exploding with flavor. Finishes elegantly like a great Bordeaux. This wine convinced me to start collecting every vintage of Beringer PR.
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8/21/2009 - InternationalWineReport wrote: 94 Points
Supple, plush and explosive with its Black fruits, leather, jalapeno peppers, and exotic tomato salsa notes flowing into the rich, complex, long finish. This is a wine to drink right now. -JD94
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8/15/2009 - tplskylrk wrote: 93 Points
Rich velvet color. Bit of toasty oak and dry fruit on the nose. Dry roses, red current. Little bit sour on the entry, moving to a nice dry fruit mid, big mouth feel of fruit. French like. Bitter chocolate, bright fruit on the back palate and a nice lingering sour strawberry thing happening. Gaining weight with a big wave of Napa fruit, pencil, lead, fresh cedar with chocolate, . . . nice. Tannins really still firm now with ample fruit there to age longer.
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7/12/2009 - plitton wrote: 93 Points
From a magnum on a perfect summer night with Tony and Eric under the pergola. Grilled pork chops, home grown zucchini seviche and pasta Gorgonzola. Popped and poured--beautiful color in the glass of brown red. Onset was a little sharp but nice fruit. It then disappeared on the mid palate and then a soft medium bodied finish. Tannins are still strong. This is age-worthy for another 2-3 years if you like them on the old side. After about an hour in the bottle, it all came together strong. Harmonious.
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7/2/2009 - wineotim wrote: 93 Points
Initially a nose of earth and leather, with a flavor profile to match. Almost seemed to have a European pedigree, but, after a half hour the fruit came alive and the wine became more forward, and elegant, with a pure acidity. Light red brick color, medium bodied with finesse, freshness, and not power, tannins well integrated and mature.
The next day the acidity was persistant, with little change to the flavor profile of this wine------still so well balanced. Very enjoyable. Paid $90 USD for this bottle two months ago.
The '97 is more fruit oriented, more Napa like, but still a very elegant wine. Will open a '02 soon.
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5/19/2009 - Mallards wrote: 93 Points
Exceptional stuff! Wished I had purchased more than one bottle.
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3/22/2009 - skaliner wrote: 97 Points
This bottle was fabulous. The wine was supple and smooth. It coplimented to perfection the steaks we cooked on the grill.
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3/19/2009 - GWE wrote: 93 Points
Very Complex, Great dark fruit tones, good finish. Just a fantastic bottle of wine
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3/15/2009 - shank wrote: 94 Points
Dark fruit with vanilla that has a long smooth finish. Best bottle I had in a long time. Wish I had more.
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3/1/2009 - The Wine Guy wrote: 93 Points
Complex brick red, black fruit, currant, cedar and soft oak lead to rich flavors, excellent body that does not quit soft smooth vanilla, on the finish I love this wine and thankful for one more to go the tanins promise more years
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2/18/2009 - Maz wrote: 92 Points
Excellent Cab that I think is at it's peak. Great fruit, smooth tannins, and long long finish. I wish I had another bottle or two. Drank along side a 1999 Chateau Montelena and the Beringer was the clear winner.
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1/30/2009 - Big Steve wrote: 93 Points
This was truly an outstanding wine. This is definitely starting to peak now and in my opinion will make a tremendous asset to any special occasion meal if you can get one. Has some earthy tones and opened up nicely after decanting for a couple of hours. I love smooth wines and this one is just about there.
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1/24/2009 - Cloverstudio wrote: 91 Points
Much better than the last bottle consumed. What is expected from a qualilty wine. Mature.
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1/20/2009 - wineguysf wrote: 93 Points
Wow. This wine hit me the second I opened it. Almost bordeaux like in it's smell with a very earthy flavor and a little bit of dusty, leathery tack room scent. The nose also carries a black fruit aroma. On the pallet, it hits with sharp vigor. Lots of fresh bright cherry, combined with a middle of well rounded tannins and a well elongated finish. Very nice.
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1/12/2009 - dannyk8232 wrote: 94 Points
Decanted for one hour.
Translucent ruby-red in the glass. This wine has a HUGE nose of raspberry, lavender and leather. Expressive and refined palate with a blast of sour red cherry and cassis, followed by layers of tobacco and spice. Round, juicy tannins and a hit of acidity make this mouth-watering. This is truly impressive, and drinking very well, although may be able to last a few more years in the bottle. Fantastic.
40+5+5+19+18+7=94
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1/12/2009 - kietkopelli wrote: 95 Points
This wine is insane and certainly not for the weak. It hits you with brass knuckles and follows with swings to the ribs. The nose is dense with flavors of mud, manure, and tar. I had to sniff it about 6 or 7 times to pick up some plum and currant but make no mistake this is a dirt bomb and a BIG ONE at that. In the mouth it’s melted dark bitter chocolate… like the kind they use for ice cream toppings. Some cedar and tobacco too. Imagine eating cherry preserve with melted chocolate in a cigar shop, that’s what this wine tastes like. The finish is wonderful but on the short side for a wine this big. I don’t know how much longer this will hold but it’s hard to image it can get much better. I’d buy more if I can find it under $150.
Remember, you don’t drink the label.
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12/31/2008 - GalvezGuy wrote: 93 Points
Popped for one hourand poured, should have decanted a least one hour more. Notes are from the final glass, when it was singing. Nose of red currant, cedar, dark chocolate, black cherry. On the palate, blackberry, red currant, mocha, spicy oak, plum. Long finish with sturdy tannins. Outstanding. At the price paid, acceptable value. Drink or hold.
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12/25/2008 - Cloverstudio wrote: 85 Points
Definately not up to what was experienced with previous bottles. The nose was old and dense. After an hour or two of decanting, it opened a little, but never came to life. Not much fruit in the mouth.
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12/25/2008 - Apollo5710 wrote: 95 Points
I am confident in proclaiming that this bottle was peaking at the very moment we consumed it (after an hour of decanting). Compared to the '95, and '97 enjoyed over the past two years, the '99 was showing much better. A huge multi-dimensional nose showcased stunning aromas of currants, cedar, shoe polish, leather, dark chocolate and blueberry fruit. It is quite smooth and rich in the mouth, with an amazing sense of purity as well, showcasing flavors of dark fruits, and chocolate, and follwed by a medium to long finish that left a lingering note of brown sugar. At the moment, the '99 Private Reserve is utterly fantastic!
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12/17/2008 - WST wrote: 92 Points
I don't remember buying this, and wish I knew what I paid. This Francophile was surprised how much he liked it. Very subtle and elegant. Mostly primary flavors and aromas of cassis and blackberries with moist earth and graphite in the backround. Medium bodied, nice mouthfeel. A very polished wine. How did it get into my cellar?
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12/14/2008 - EmilyE wrote: 93 Points
Decanted for hour. Enjoyed with filet. Rich, very smooth, opening even more by second glass. Notes of plum, berries and cedar.
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11/5/2008 - J-Sho wrote: 91 Points
Nice wine. Nose with some fruit but mostly some earth, mineral , and plum. Complex palate with soft integrated tannins. Nice finish. Maturing and drinking very well right now.
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10/11/2008 - JoshuaG wrote: 92 Points
No danger of peaking. Has life left. Wait another 6 months before opening another
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10/5/2008 - James B wrote: 91 Points
The wine was closed at first, but opened nicely after one hour plus in the decanter. Tannins have softened; the wine is drinkable now but it in no danger of passing its peak. Nose is full and complex, but not overwhelming. Notes of cassis, black currants, cedar. Good mouth feel; medium finish. Should last many more years.
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10/3/2008 - Lifes2short wrote: 94 Points
This is a very nice bottle of wine that continued to open up for 30 minutes after opening. Still has plenty of fruit with soft tannins. Will be drinkable for another 2-3 years
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9/28/2008 - cvvhrn wrote: 92 Points
2nd Above Top Secret . Com Annual Dinner 2008 at the San Jose UFO Expo; 9/27/2008-9/28/2008 (Parcel 104 Restaurant at the Santa Clara Marriot): The second Cab ( 2 of 3) of the night and ended up second for me taste wise amongst the three. Hints of earth, pencil shavings , and dust on the nose, with rose hips, dark fruit and berries on the palate. Nice finish. Its drinking well now, but has enough stuffing to age some more.
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9/27/2008 - stevenrcagle wrote: 92 Points
Dark ruby, medium bodied, dark cherry, a bit of spice. Requires time to open. Tight and smooth. Very enjoyable sipping wine. Meritage-like for cabernet. Kim would like.
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9/14/2008 - mmyette wrote: 91 Points
Some maturity here. Nose was of mature cedar, wild berries, and autumn mulch. Taste was mildly senescent, with some hints of oxidation. Berry fruit gave way to plenty of wood, and loamy earth with hints of nutmeg and creamy coffee. Still very nice, but not improving.
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9/11/2008 - chad1616 wrote: 90 Points
Enjoyed two bottles in a 5 day span and was amazed with it's consistency. Lovely wine...light sle cab fith elegant fruit and a bit of cedar.
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7/18/2008 - FieldingYost wrote: 92 Points
Aromas of coffee, plum, and cedar complement flavors of plum, anise, milk chocolate, and earth that are taut at first, but unfold on the palate. The tannins are burnished to a lambent kiss on the finish. Understated and polished.
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6/29/2008 - David S wrote:
still dissapointed
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3/15/2008 - hifiwine wrote: 90 Points
barley, not up to par
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3/12/2008 - cadamson wrote: 88 Points
Light bodied compared to today's Cali cabs, which I like, but reasonable complexity. Good cigar box, cassis, leather and dark fruit. 20+ second finish. Good mid palate. I would take this over many of the 95 point cabs of today. Not in your face, more of a cool climate, sneak up on you type of wine. Lowered the score as it completely fell apart after one night. All in all, good if 1) you drink soon after opening and 2) you like more elegant, restrained cabs.
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3/8/2008 - Stephan O wrote: 93 Points
(Drank at Charlie Palmer Steak.) I'm with the yeas on this one. It's a nicely balanced package of sweet currants, brown sugar, tobacco, and a little soy sauce. At nine years old, it's ready to roll -- the fruit is fresh, the tannins are fully integrated, and our bottle opens up with just a little decanting. Excellent stuff (though the '97 easily tops it).
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2/29/2008 - John McCabe wrote: 87 Points
Really closed in and shut off. Barealy any sense of depth, fruit or complexity. Very disappointing. Hard to believe Beringer could mess up a wine like this from the great '99 vintage.
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2/18/2008 - winomoo wrote: 87 Points
For the first time, the private reserve was disappointing. We have had and loved the '95 and '96 (and still have a '97 in the cellar). This was just ok. Not much nose, not much complexity. Tannins reasonably integrated, but overall pretty one note. We had this early for "Open that bottle night" since I'm working on the 23rd. Not impressive. Drunk over 2 hours, not decanted, but no appreciable change over that time period.
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1/26/2008 - Dobbs wrote: 93 Points
Decanted 40 minutes before dinner (NY Strip and twice baked) ... was at it's best 2 hours later ... well balanced ... tannins still present but plenty of fruit especially after the first hour. First time tasting this so not sure how it compares to when it was younger. Drinking great now, may have more time buy why wait? Still, deep and full even after 4 hours!
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1/3/2008 - jc510 wrote: flawed
Possible a flawed bottle or improperly stored bottle. Chalky, grainy, fruit never came out.
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12/26/2007 - S Spade wrote: 93 Points
Agree with other recent notes on this wine. Very smooth, excellent balance, varietally correct, tannins are there but in a good way, long pure finish. An excellent example of California cabernet that is refined and not over-the-top. Should hold for a few years but I would drink it now; it seems like an ideal candidate for pairing with a big hunk of cow.
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12/9/2007 - iamandyc wrote: 92 Points
Went beautifully with Italian meals at BYOB restaurant. Dark fruits dominated but in a velvety refined package. More sophisticated than many of the big "in your face" Cali cabs that score so well these days. Tannins and structure seem in balance with the fruit for an American cab.
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10/1/2007 - Winetree wrote:
Ruby-red. Highly nuanced nose combines currant, plum, smoky oak, minerals, licorice and mint. Wonderfully sweet, sappy and dense. The most complex of these '99 cabernets, with enticing flavors of currant, minerals and brown spices. Very long, slow-building finish features big but sweet and fine tannins. Suave and impressive.
From 2007 tasting: * Cherry, brown spice, slightly earthy, cedar * Pretty and elegant with sweet fruit * Medium body, good finish
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9/6/2007 - bwk wrote: 91 Points
Complex with a very long finish. Excellent.
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6/10/2007 - RANCHO TALAHALUSI wrote:
misid'd vintage, actually was 1997
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6/4/2007 - hifiwine wrote: 92 Points
engagement party
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5/22/2007 - HurrahSyrah wrote: 91 Points
Decanted for 1 hr. This wine exhibited a rich dark garnet/purple color with a nose filled with aromas of black cherries, plums, and blackberries with hints of licorice and oak. On the palate, flavors of plums and black cherries dominated with notes of minerality and mocha on the finish. Fruit still tasted quite fresh with nice acidity to support the wine, worked well with the steaks. Drink up if you have any! HS91
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4/28/2007 - Wayne Richmon wrote: 87 Points
This was unimpressive for the money. Every cab I have tasted from the 99 vintage is quite unexciting. I think Wine Spectator was off on the rating on this wine and the entire vintage. Hands down R Parker got this year right for CA Cabernet. Tasted two bottles several months apart with same results. Very light and mineral taste. Almost green.
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4/13/2007 - pikemasterflash wrote: 92 Points
Dark red color with sweet fruit nose. Still a little bit tanic and harsh but smooth and velvety on the finish. Very good CA wine but at > $100/bottle, I would shop for '98 and '01 bordeaux.
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3/12/2007 - gsglen wrote:
Fabulous Wine. We were gifted this bottle and it immediately became obvious that we needed to drink better wine! Very smooth on the finish with a depth of flavor unhear of in our experience.As relative newcomers we would rather not attribute a rating....
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2/23/2007 - ELH wrote: 90 Points
Interesting for a cabernet sauvigon; not at all heavy; light on tannins?; almost a Pinot Noir-like lightness, but good. The second half of the bottle was better than the first, so open it up in advance.
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2/18/2007 - gravelld wrote: 90 Points
Red with some fading beginning at the rim. The nose hits with pencil and blackcurrant. On the palate, juicy blackcurrant makes up most of the immediate attack but then is followed by delightful, harmonious tobacco and chocolate flavours. The structure is superb - the tannin is integrated and fine, the acidity present, the alcohol under control. I was pleased by this surprisingly voluptuous wine.
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10/22/2006 - Bakeman wrote: 90 Points
Lisa drank with Allison. Said it was not spectatcular. Light, not a big cab. Surprisingly.
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9/21/2006 - Don45cal wrote: 95 Points
This was very enjoyable. My wifeand I drank this for her birthday.
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8/29/2006 - jctaylor wrote: 88 Points
A wonderful nose of cherry, plum, and currant. The fruit on the attack was a nice plummy cherry and currant, but this cooled on the mid-palate and finish to what tasted like green tannins with hints of green olive which I was not a big fan of.
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7/11/2006 - Jdg71 wrote: 91 Points
Deliciously smooth, firm tannins and good fruit. Yummy.
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7/5/2006 - kyork777 wrote: 92 Points
Big wine, lots of tannins. I'll wait 3 more years before opening any more of these.
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6/29/2006 - hutch wrote:
Almost salty air in the nose. The signifigant fruit blends into the moderate tannins. I wasn't really to impressed with this.
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6/20/2006 - The Wine Guy wrote: 92 Points
Nice color and fruit forward blacberry, soft cedar, hint tobaco with firm tanins, better after a decant. Enjoyed this wine could of held for several more years
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3/12/2006 - rbc25 wrote: 90 Points
taninos presentes, bom corpo, gostoso
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1/28/2006 - jeff nowak wrote: 75 Points
the absolute dud of the night. thin, short finish, nothing to recommend it. barely drinkable.
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