Beringer Private Reserve Chardonnay, Napa Valley, California, 2019    

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.

"The 2019 Chardonnay Private Reserve is certainly the richest and most opulent of the whites here, although it shows a fresher, less oaky, toasty character than older vintages (which I think is what they’re looking for). Impressive stone fruits, white flowers, orange blossom, toasted almond, and a touch of minerality all define the bouquet, and this beauty builds nicely, offering full-bodied richness, a layered, opulent texture, terrific balance, and a great finish. It should keep nicely for 3-4 years, if not longer.” 

94/100 points, Jeb Dunnuck, jebdunnuck.com, January, 2021

"Aromas of cooked apple, mango, lemon curd, praline and toffee. It’s full-bodied with crisp acidity and a dense, creamy texture. Flavorful with a solid core of ripe fruit and toasted nuts. Rich and generous. Solid structure. Drink or hold.” 

95/100 points, James Suckling, jamessuckling.com, February, 2021