2007 Beringer Vineyards Chardonnay Private Reserve

WineAlign

• By David Lawrason
  7/4/2010, (See more on WineAlign...)

  (Beringer Private Reserve Chardonnay, Napa Valley white) Login and sign up and see review text.

• By Stephen Tanzer
  May/June 2009, IWC Issue #144, (See more on Vinous...)

  (Beringer Vineyards Chardonnay Private Reserve Napa Valley) Login and sign up and see review text.

Garagiste

• By Jon Rimmerman
  12/30/2009, (See more on Garagiste...)

  (PRIVATE RESERVE Chardonnay Beringer) Holiday Special #5 Dear Friends, This price is not a misprint. Over the holiday month, we received a strange (i.e. large) number of requests for high quality domestic Chardonnay in the $15 range (for winter weddings and events). This is not something we are known for but I always keep my eyes and palate open - the opposite would only lead to misdirection. I've tried a bevy of them over the last month and most left me wanting (and spitting). About to give up, this arrived on my doorstep a few nights ago and it's a doozy of a wine for the price - while I've found variation with other bottles, the example I sampled the other night was a contender for one of the finest deals of 2009. If you've ever considered the acquisition of Napa Valley Chardonnay, I urge you to throw caution to the wind - you will thank your uninhibited side every time a bottle is opened. Say what you will but the good bottles of this wine are the single finest price/value examples of Napa Valley Chardonnay I've come across in years and I have no problem making that statement (other bottles have shown too much wood and a Butterball(r) quality that will be immensely appealing to those that adore the heavier side of Puligny or California Chardonnay but they were not as pinpoint as the bottle the other night - for $16+ it probably doesn't matter as you could put a case of this out on a banquet table and be the savior of the party even if the contents are overly quercous and weighty). Acclaimed by a variety of critical palates, I realize this is Beringer, but who cares? For Tanzer to give something like this 91pts is telling indeed (as a comparison, he gave Jadot's 2007 Bienvenue Batard Montrachet 90pts). With a serious and renewed sense of quality and dedication to less oak use, if the larger houses of Burgundy (such as Bouchard or the above mentioned Jadot) are acceptable then why not Beringer? I can tell you one thing, if quality like this exists in the $15-16+ price range, it has the potential to cause a forced correction of the entire California Chardonnay industry. One thing is for sure, my mom will be lining up for this price/value star. Be prepared to be surprised by the exceptional quality of this wine, priced like a middling Bourgogne blanc: This parcel has impeccable provenance. ONE SHIPMENT ONLY at this price FIRST COME FIRST SERVED up to 84/person until we run out 2007 Beringer Private Reserve Chardonnay (Napa Valley) 750ml Thank you, Jon Rimmerman Garagiste Seattle, WA CA8470

RJonWine.com

• By Richard Jennings
  6/20/2009, (See more on RJonWine.com...) 88 points

  (Beringer Vineyards Chardonnay Private Reserve) Light canary yellow color; nice ripe lime, green melon and lime cream nose; creamy textured ripe lemon and vanilla oak palate with balance; medium finish