This was the breakthrough vintage for this fabulous terroir that had been under-exploited for so many years. A collaboration between Nicolas Thienpont and Stephane Derenoncourt, this medium to full-bodied, pure blend of 80% Merlot... Read More
Bellevue has only been making terrific wine since 2000, which probably explains why they were not upgraded to a grand cru classe in St.-Emilion's most recent reclassification. This small (15.5 acres), south-facing hillside... Read More
This is a wine that I appear to have badly misjudged when tasting out of barrel. I had the bottled 26 Bellevue several times, and it was consistently hard, austere, and lean. Generally I love what this great terroir, surrounded... Read More
Even in a vintage such as 2003 there are wines that are youthful, unevolved and still in need of bottle age. The 2003 Bellevue Mondotte is one of those wines. From a tiny (5 acres) estate owned by Gerard Perse, this blend of 90%... Read More
This tiny, 5-acre vineyard with nearly 50-year old vines produces only 4,000 bottles from a blend of 90% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Franc. The broodingly tannic, backward 2006 is remarkably concentrated, pure, and deep. It is an... Read More
Very little wine is produced (about 400 cases) from this tiny 5-acre vineyard, but it is always among the most concentrated and richest of Bordeaux. The inky/purple-colored 2007 offers sweet cassis fruit notes interwoven with... Read More
The wine is not as powerful as one might expect, given the owners and winemaking team, coming in at 14.3%. A sensational, rather massive example for a 2010, this opaque purple wine offers up notes of subtle barbecue smoke, blackberry... Read More
The 1987 Reserve is a worthy competitor to the terrific 1986. The 1987's dark ruby/garnet color is followed by a super bouquet. There are huge aromas of chocolate, spicy new oak, herbs, cassis and tobacco in this beautifully... Read More
Beringer's 1991 Cabernet Sauvignon Private Reserve possesses excellent concentration, a smashing bouquet of smoky, unctuously-textured black and red fruits, sweet, generous, decadently rich flavors, low acidity, and a voluptuously... Read More
Production: 14,700 cases; Alcohol: 14.46%; Blend: 97% Cabernet Sauvignon and 3% Cabernet Franc; Harvest Dates: September 9 to October 6 Made from a blend of fruit from four vineyards, Bancroft Ranch (57%), State Lane (now known... Read More
Production: 14,700 cases; Alcohol: 14.46%; Blend: 97% Cabernet Sauvignon and 3% Cabernet Franc; Harvest Dates: September 9 to October 6 Made from a blend of fruit from four vineyards, Bancroft Ranch (57%), State Lane (now known... Read More
Production: 17,000 cases; Alcohol: 14.1% Blend: 97% Cabernet Sauvignon and 3% Cabernet Franc; Harvest Dates: October 12 to November 11. A more mineral-dominated wine, the 1993 Private Reserve offers notes of cedarwood, black cherries,... Read More
Beringer's 1999 Private Reserve reveals a dense purple color along with a flinty, herbal, austere personality that comes across like a young Medoc. Still vigorous, primary and unformed at age 13, it does not reveal the volume... Read More
Beringer's 1999 Private Reserve reveals a dense purple color along with a flinty, herbal, austere personality that comes across like a young Medoc. Still vigorous, primary and unformed at age 13, it does not reveal the volume... Read More
Production: 10,000 cases; Alcohol: 14.2%; Blend: 100% Cabernet Sauvignon; Harvest Dates: September 4 to October 10. The 2001 was produced from six vineyards, Chabot, Home, Bancroft Ranch, Rancho del Oso, Quarry and Tre Colline.... Read More
Beringer's 2005 Cabernet Sauvignon Private Reserve comes from the top selection from all their different holdings, with each vineyard aged separately for close to two years, then blended for quality. This blend of 95% Cabernet... Read More
One of the great efforts of recent years, and not surprisingly so, is the 2013 Cabernet Sauvignon Private Reserve, a blend of 81% from Howell Mountain, 11% from St. Helena and the rest Calistoga and Mount Veeder. It is a blend... Read More
Composed of 97% Cabernet Sauvignon, 2% Cabernet Franc and 1% Petit Verdot aged for 20 months in 83% new French oak, the deep garnet-purple colored 2016 Cabernet Sauvignon Private Reserve sings of crème de cassis, kirsch, blackberry... Read More
Deep garnet-purple in color, the 2017 Berliquet gives up expressive notes of baked plums, blackberry preserves and mulberries with hints of licorice, crushed rocks, chargrilled meat and wild sage. Medium-bodied, the palate has... Read More
A blend of 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 35% Cabernet Franc and 5% Merlot, the deep garnet-purple colored 2016 Proprietary Red EE Tench Vineyard is scented of pure plums and ripe blueberries with redcurrants and touches of lavender,... Read More
A barrel sample to be bottled in January 2019, the 2017 Cabernet Sauvignon Harbison Vineyard is very deep purple-black in color and a little reduced on the nose with earthy and tar aromas over blackcurrants, dark chocolate and... Read More
A barrel sample to be bottled in January 2019, the 2017 Cabernet Sauvignon Sentinel Ridge is very deep purple-black in color with an earthy, meaty nose with aromas of black fruit, yeast extract and tapenade. The palate is medium... Read More
The last two 2013s I tasted included the 2013 Proprietary Red Sugarloaf Mountain. This fabulous and exciting elixir is a equal-part blend of Cabernet Franc and Merlot aged in equal parts Gamba and Darnajou, all new French oak.... Read More
Aged in Taransaud (75%) and Darnajou (25%) oak, the 2012 Cabernet Sauvignon Tin Box is more backward than the perfect 2011 was last year, but it reveals similar decadence, opulence and velvety texture. Its opaque blue/black/purple... Read More
The 2015 Cabernet Sauvignon Tin Box Vineyard gives a very deep garnet-purple color and nose of dried herbs, red currant jelly and underbrush over a core of plum preserves, crème de cassis and fungi with a waft of mossy bark. Medium-bodied... Read More