Beringer Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon Private Reserve 2002

WS 88 (11/2006): Quite loamy and earthy, yet there's a savory richness, with dried currant, sage and cedary oak flavors. Excellent balance and persistence. Best from 2008 through 2012. 14,200 cases made.

October 2008

94 pts from Robert Parker! The 2002 Cabernet Sauvignon Private Reserve may not equal the fabulous concentration and intensity of the 2001, but its not far off the mark. It is a fruit-forward, softer, more flamboyant, already seductive effort displaying gorgeous notes of chocolaty creme de cassis, some spicy, high-quality, toasty oak, a rich, plush, savory, expansive mid-palate, and a long, heady finish with elevated glycerin and plenty of sweet tannin and fruit. This wine is delicious yet promises to age gorgeously for 15-20 years. Ed Sbragia compares it to the 1992 which, by the way, is drinking read more...superbly in 2005, but is one of those rare vintages that has never gone through a closed period. Its always a fascinating education to taste through these component parts, but the resulting blend that Ed Sbragia puts together, the extraordinary Private Reserve, is one of the great Cabernet Sauvignons of California and he has fashioned a succession of beauties since 1991. In fact, there are two gorgeous ones in the market, the profound 2001 and the flamboyant, exotic 2002. - Dec 2005 Issue of The Wine Advocate    (hide)

February 2009

Since 1981, when Winemaster Ed Sbragia first began blending themost expressive components from Beringer's best vineyards to craft the Private Reserve CabernetSauvignon, he and Bob Steinhauer, vineyard manager at the time, worked steadily to identify NapaValley sites that they thought could be developed into producing the rich, intensely colored andflavored Cabernet Sauvignon grapes that Ed requires for the Private Reserve. In 2002, Ed had sixreserve-potential vineyards to draw from, choosing the best lots after vinification and aging for awell-balanced, full-flavored final read more...blend. Aromas of cassis, blackcherry, cedar and dark chocolate transition to rich expressions of black fruit, vanilla and brown spices on the palate as ripe suppletannins linger throughout the extracted and long finish. ...This wine is delicious yet promises to age gorgeously for 15-20 years. Ed Sbragia compares it to the 1992 which, by the way, is drinking superbly in 2005, but is one of those rare vintages that has never gone through a closed period. It's always a fascinating education to taste through these component parts, but the resulting blend that Ed Sbragia puts together, the extraordinary Private Reserve, is one of the great Cabernet Sauvignons of California and he has fashioned a succession of beauties since 1991... -Wine Advocate    (hide)

Wine Advocate ReviewRated 94The 2002 Cabernet Sauvignon Private Reserve may not equal the fabulous concentration and intensity of the 2001, but its not far off the mark. It is a fruit-forward, softer, more flamboyant, already seductive effort displaying gorgeous notes of chocolaty creme de cassis, some spicy, high-quality, toasty oak, a rich, plush, savory, expansive mid-palate, and a long, heady finish with elevated glycerin and plenty of sweet tannin and fruit. This wine is delicious yet promises to age gorgeously for 15-20 years. Ed Sbragia compares it to the 1992 which, by the way, is read more...drinking superbly in 2005, but is one of those rare vintages that has never gone through a closed period. Its always a fascinating education to taste through these component parts, but the resulting blend that Ed Sbragia puts together, the extraordinary Private Reserve, is one of the great Cabernet Sauvignons of California and he has fashioned a succession of beauties since 1991. In fact, there are two gorgeous ones in the market, the profound 2001 and the flamboyant, exotic 2002.    (hide)

January 2009

Robert Parker: 94 The 2002 Cabernet Sauvignon Private Reserve may not equal the fabulous concentration and intensity of the 2001, but it's not far off the mark. It is a fruit-forward, softer, more flamboyant, already seductive effort displaying gorgeous notes of chocolaty creme de cassis, some spicy, high-quality, toasty oak, a rich, plush, savory, expansive mid-palate, and a long, heady finish with elevated glycerin and plenty of sweet tannin and fruit. This wine is delicious yet promises to age gorgeously for 15-20 years. Ed Sbragia compares it to the 1992 which, by the way, is drinking read more...superbly in 2005, but is one of those rare vintages that has never gone through a closed period. It's always a fascinating education to taste through these component parts, but the resulting blend that Ed Sbragia puts together, the extraordinary Private Reserve, is one of the great Cabernet Sauvignons of California and he has fashioned a succession of beauties since 1991. In fact, there are two gorgeous ones in the market, the profound 2001 and the flamboyant, exotic 2002.    (hide)

November 2009

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January 2008