1993 Beringer Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon Private Reserve Napa Valley

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, black currants, damp earth, underbrush and forest floor. It is the product of a lower than normal crop, some shatter during berry set and a general reduction of fruit by nearly 30% in some vineyards. August and September alternated between cool periods and large heat spikes. This was a challenging year, but the seemingly fully mature wine has turned out very well. Unlike 1992, 1991 and 1990, this vintage is best consumed over the next 5-7 years given its more fragile constitution. Review Date: June 2011