Beringer Private Reserve Napa Valley Chardonnay

Profile & Story

Frederick and Jacob Beringer established Beringer in 1876 in the belief that Napa could be a premier wine-growing region, like Germany's Rhine River Valley, from which they hailed. The brothers quickly made Beringer famous for producing world-class wines, a legacy that continues to this day and reaches its finest expression in the Private Reserve series. To make these small-production wines, winemakers choose the best lots from reserve vineyards, each of which demonstrates a different aspect of Napa's prized terroir. Beringer Private Reserve wines have become famous as one of the truest expressions of a given vintage in the AVA. Varietal Composition: 100% Chardonnay. Sourcing: Gamble Ranch (Oakville), Big Ranch (Oak Knoll), Napa Valley. Harvest Dates: October 8 – November 1, 2023. Vinification: 8 months in French oak (50% new). Analysis: Alcohol 14.9%, TA 6.3 g/L, pH 3.48. Vineyards: Gamble Ranch, Beringer's northernmost Chardonnay vineyard, has been the primary source for Private Reserve for decades. Located near the town of Yountville in the Oakville AVA, daytime temperatures here slowly climb as the cooling morning fog recedes south to San Pablo Bay. This significant diurnal shift allows the grapes to maintain their acidity, balancing the ripe, rich flavors as they develop during warm afternoons. Vines planted in 1976 featuring Wente Clone 4 are predominant. Close to 18% of the blend was crafted from central Napa Valley's cooler Big Ranch vineyard in Oak Knoll, where the fruit retains more acidity and minerality. A larger selection of Burgundy clones also provided an elegant complexity and weight. Winemaking: Each Chardonnay lot is kept separate throughout the aging process for this flagship wine. After sending the fruit directly to press, the juice is fermented in 100% French oak barrels (50% new) for 8 months to enhance natural richness. The lees are stirred every other month to integrate the subtle oak notes and develop a lovely texture, body, and mouthfeel. After aging, the most expressive lots are chosen then blended to create a richly layered wine with aromatic aromas and fruit flavor intensity. Growing Season 2023: Mild conditions allowed the vines and grapes to progress at a slow-and-steady pace, resulting in an unprecedented late harvest running mid-September to the beginning of November. Several grape varieties ripened at the same time, but the dedicated cellar team and harvest interns overcame the challenges ensuring the success of this remarkable vintage. These exceptionally fresh wines are characterized by excellent acidity, vibrant color, and ideal tannins.