1996 Beaulieu Private Reserve

[winoweenie]

Brite ruby. Nose filled with flowers, fruit, and spices. Elegant entry with a solid center and a 4&1/2-lapper finish. Lush fruit with coffe bean, cassis, red fruits, and pencil shavings all coming on the palate. Still some soft tannins that need another 2-4 to resolve. Another in a long line of superior bottlings from this Napa icon. 92/93.69 by the box. 13.5%alc. WW

[Innkeeper]

Didn't you have a bottle or two of the '94 at the Finger Lakes get-to-gether? The memory is the second thing to go!

[wondersofwine]

He did indeed have at least one bottle if the Private Reserve is the same as the Georges de Latour. That was my favorite of the dozen '94 Cal cabs he brought.

[winoweenie]

Verily there was a 94 GDL Pvt Reserve in the box. My impression of the wines, even though they were sent a month before the get-together was that none of the wines were at the top of their game due to travel shock. WW

[Thomas]

As far as I am concerned, most BV Private Reserves have been the best example of American red wines for nearly 100 years--but I fear those days are at an end now that the company has been absorbed into the conglomerate world.

As they move through the 21st century, I don't think the wines will compete with their 20th century stellar reputation--hope I am wrong, but don't think that will be the case.

So ww, savor those final offerings of the 1990s, they are supreme.

[winoweenie]

Totally agree Food-i-poo. As my many postings have shown, I've had a love affair with BV since the marvelous 60s. Thank goodness I loaded up on the 90s'.WW