The 1996 Cabernet Sauvignon St. Helena Vineyard is the antithesis of the 1995 - stern, tannic, and backward. While broodingly powerful and brawny, its tannin dominates at present. It was closed when I tasted it, so I will be anxious to retaste it prior to release.
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, 4/01.
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