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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate: 97 points
The spectacular 2001 Cabernet Sauvignon Private Reserve came in at 14.2% natural alcohol. The good news is that winemaker Ed Sbragia produced 10,000 cases of this beauty. Just hitting late adolescence, this 100% Cabernet Sauvignon cuvee exhibits an opaque dark purple color along with a beautiful, smoky, sweet black currant, licorice, truffle, toast and underbrush-scented nose. With fabulous concentration, great intensity and tremendous purity, this voluptuously textured, full-bodied classic is one of the all-time great Beringer Private Reserve Cabernet Sauvignons. While drinkable now, it will continue to evolve for at least another 20 years. Of all the superb Private Reserve vintages, the 2001 ranks alongside the 1991, 1994, 1995, 1997, 2005 and 2007. The performances of the two other Cabernet Sauvignons were surprising since I tend to think of these wines as needing to be drunk early in life. The 2001 Cabernet Sauvignon Knight's Valley and 2001 Cabernet Sauvignon Napa are both outstanding efforts. Furthermore, they prove that you don't have to pay a premium price to get a top-notch wine from this large winery.
Review Date: May 2011
Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar: 94 points
Good full ruby. Complex, very ripe aromas of cassis, minerals, lead pencil and currant leaf. Large-scaled and sweet, with flavors of roasted currant, blackberry and dark chocolate. This is almost too big for the mouth. A California cabernet with superb density and length. Finishes with building tannins and subtle notes of chocolate, mocha and underbrush. This wine is virtually always accessible early, but also has an excellent track record for aging.
Review Date: May 2005