Tasting note

In 1868, Jacob Beringer left Germany and settled in California, where he built the now-historic Beringer Winery. A vibrant Cab with ripe cassis, vanilla and smoke aromas. Cellar 3-5 years, or decant and pair with roast beef, grilled quail or Beemster cheese.

This dry purplish red coloured wine features intense woody, empyreumatic, spicy and fruity scents and offers a broad texture as well as firm tannins.

The charred-oak sweetness of barrel time balances the wine's dark fruit.

This wine has toasty oak, vanilla, cedar and smoky aromas accented by a pretty background of pink peppercorn, cocoa and mint. A full mouth of sweet, zesty and rich black fruit is supported by nice bright acidity and ripe tannins.

Driving north from Napa Valley you run into Knights Valley, where for many years Beringer has farmed some excellent Cabernet Sauvignon. Savvy BC consumers have long known this; from the April 1989 BCL Price Guide we were selling the 1981 vintage for a mere $21.70. Loaded with cassis, black currant and oak notes, this is another classic.