The 1995 Cabernet Sauvignon Bancroft Ranch exhibits an opaque black/purple color, and stunning aromatics consisting of minerals, blueberries, blackberries, and cassis. Terrific in the mouth, it offers full body, a racy, chewy texture, high tannin, but wonderful sweetness and balance. It was impressive and flamboyant when I tasted it in September. Anticipated maturity: 2000-2025.
Last year I had a slight preference for the 1996 over the 1995, but the extra year of bottle age has caused the 1995 to leap-frog over the 1996. For now, the 1995 looks to be slightly more complete and multi-dimensional than the 1996.
Readers should look out for the phenomenal 1997.
The single-vineyard Cabernet Sauvignons are part of what Beringer calls their "Vineyard Collection." Produced in 200 case lots, readers expecting to find them sitting on a shelf in their local retail shops will be disappointed, as they are destined to be sold via Beringer's mailing list, or directly from the winery. Because of the limited quantities available, my notes on these wines are intentionally abbreviated.
Release date, 4/00.
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