Beringer Private Reserve Chardonnay 2021

Beringer Private Reserve Chardonnay, Napa Valley, California, 2021     

Grape: 100% Chardonnay aged for 9 months in French oak, with a weekly stirring of the lees and a full malolactic fermentation. 

Rich, vibrant, creamy and expressive, this well-balanced, luscious Chardonnay is classically Californian with aromas of citrus blossom, lemon curd, honeysuckle and crème brûlée, supported by flavors of tropical fruits, like pineapple, mango and tangerine. A delicate touch of well-integrated oak shows notes of brioche and apple pie spice, leading to a pleasing, mouth-watering lengthy finish

Gamble Ranch is Beringer’s northernmost Chardonnay vineyard, the source for Private Reserve, located near the town of Yountville, in the Oakville AVA, where daytime temperatures slowly climb as the cooling morning fog recedes south to San Pablo Bay. This significant diurnal shift allows the grapes to maintain their acidity, which is essential to balancing the ripe, rich flavours as they develop during warm afternoons. Older vines featuring the Wente Clone 4 are dominant in this wine.

Critics' Tasting Notes:

"From the Gamble Ranch in Oakville and barrel fermented at relatively warm temperatures to build mouthfeel, the 2021 Chardonnay Private Reserve boasts a smoky, mocha-tinged note on the nose, plus hints of crème brûlée and pineapple custard. It's medium to full-bodied, velvety and ripe, a bit open-knit texturally on the finish, but it's authoritatively flavored and true to form. About 80% new French oak is used, but a healthy 20% of the barrels are larger puncheons (500 liters), so while oaky, it's not unbalanced." Drink 2023-2027

93/100 points, Joe Czerwinski, WINE ADVOCATE, May 2023

"Seductive, almost-sweet aromas of butterscotch, toasted baguette and poached pears lead to a rich, luscious palate that echoes the aromas and coats the palate with vanilla, butter and pear syrup flavors. A full body, ample oak spices and an extra-rich texture make this classic wine a show-stopper." 

94/100 points, WINE ENTHUSIAST, December 2023