Suckling 98 at $167:
This shows really beautiful purity of fruit with polish and sophistication. The currant and cassis aromas are so enticing and really reflect the name of the wine. Medium to full body. Extremely fine tannins. Shows a level of freshness and agility that caresses the palate. Delicate and beautiful. Mostly Howell Mountain. Drink or hold.
And the Wine Enthusiast at $170:
Thick and concentrated in dense layers of cedar, pencil shaving and currant, this reserve-worthy wine is substantial in body wight and power, with considerable oak impact, as it was aged 20 months in 80% new French oak. Still, it shows remarkable underlying beauty, complexity and structure. It is a blockbuster that will do well in the cellar. Enjoy best from 2027 through 2037.
And Dunnuck:
The 2017 Cabernet Sauvignon Private Reserve is brilliant, with a ripe, powerful style that’s going to age gracefully. Deep blackcurrants, dark chocolate, scorched earth, and graphite notes all emerge from this concentrated, powerful Cabernet that has ripe tannins, a big, rich mid-palate, and a great finish. It’s going to benefit from 3-5 years of bottle age and keep for upwards of two decades with no issues.
And Owen Bargreen:
Beringer began this legendary program back in 1977. Aged for twenty months in 80% new French oak (Nevers), the 2017 ‘Private Reserve’ Cabernet Sauvignon shows anise and creme de cassis aromatics that combine with chocolate covered espresso bean, graphite and blueberry compote, showing an exotic edge. The palate is impeccably balanced, showing both depth, concentration, verve and power. Layers of creosote, blueberry compote, mocha and creme de cassis, with silky tannins all sing in unison. Gorgeous in its youth, this beautiful wine really needs a few more years of bottle age before enjoyment.
Beringer actually did better with this 2017 than with many of the more heralded recent vintages. It’s simply one of the best they’ve ever made.