Revealing the great blending skills of Beringer’s winemaking team, the 2012 Cabernet Sauvignon Private Reserve is a winner. Having purchased Private Reserves for many years, I can attest that they age incredibly well. The 1991, one of the great successes of that vintage, is still aging beautifully at nearly 25 years of age. The sensational 2012 (10,000 cases) boasts an opaque purple color along with abundant aromas of charcoal, burning embers, crme de cassis, chocolate, blackberries and licorice. The long, complex, compelling, full-bodied texture along with terrific purity and a savory, rich mouthfeel result in a classic, quintessential Napa Cabernet Sauvignon to drink now and over the next 20-25 years. - Robert Parker

Black at the core with a light purple rim. Aromas of blackberry and Santa Rosa plum burst from the glass, supported by more subtle notes of crushed rocks, mint, dark chocolate and licorice. Powerful and dark on the palate, the dark fruit is offset beautifully by soft tannins and just enough acidity to stay vibrant through a long, lingering finish. With a supple texture and an overall sense of elegance and purity, this is already showing well in youth, and should age well, as the best Private Reserves do, for 2 decades or more.

This is powerful with super polished tannins and a wonderful balance of fruit and acidity. Lots of blackberry, sweet tobacco and fresh mushroom undertones. Layered and structured. Needs at least three to four years to come around but already great. Exciting, harking back to the great vintages of this wine. Better in 2018.

A classy style that combines firm, ripe, dusty blackberry, currant and wild berry flavors with dried herb, cedar and tobacco notes. On the finish, the tannins are fine-grained and the flavors flow through in an elegant manner. Drink now through 2029. — J.L.