Tech Notes
Wine Details
James Suckling
Antonio Galloni
Wine Enthusiast
Jeb Dunnuck
Wine Spectator
By Beringer
Knights Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
Wine Details
Varietal: Cabernet Sauvignon
Appellation: Knights Valley
Production: Vineyard lots harvested and vinified separately
Aging: In French oak
Enclosure Type: Cork
Vineyard
Located 17 miles north of the winery, Knights Valley Vineyard is approximately 600 acres of rocky, well-drained soils perfectly suited to Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Malbec, and Petit Verdot.
Vintage Details
Welcomed winter rain in January and February of 2018 eased long drought conditions. After a relatively wet winter, bud break and flowering occurred later than average but under ideal weather conditions, creating plentiful and even fruit set. Warm summer temperatures with generous sun exposure moderated by cool marine influences in the mornings and evenings allowed for a long summer growing season, virtually uninterrupted by any major heat spikes. The mild summer run was followed by extended fall sunshine with moderate heat and no early rains, creating near-ideal conditions that allowed fruit extended hang time for gradual ripening, increased sugar levels, and flavor complexity development.
Winemaking
To maintain the unique characteristics of the different lots from varying vineyard areas, each is carefully monitored throughout the vinification and aging process. Extended maceration created larger tannins to enhance the lush mouthfeel of the blend and extracted a maximum of color, aromas, and flavors. The wines were then aged in French oak barrels and underwent malolactic fermentation to further develop their texture and mouthfeel.
Ryan Rech, Winemaker
In 2016, Ryan returned to Napa Valley to join Beringer Vineyards as a luxury red winemaker, crafting wines from the Knights Valley estate. He was appointed Senior Winemaker and General Manager in 2017 and elevated to Chief Winemaker in 2021. Ryan is honored to bring recognition to the wines produced at one of Napa Valley's best-known and most beloved wineries, following in the footsteps of a roster of acclaimed chief winemakers, including Ed Sbragia, Myron Nightingale, Laurie Hook, and Mark Beringer.
[Information provided by Beringer]
[Information is not vintage specific]
Unit Size | 375.00 ML |
Varietal | Cabernet Sauvignon
|
Vintage | 2018 |
Grape | Cabernet Sauvignon |
Country | United States |
Region | Sonoma County
|
Beringer Cabernet Sauvignon Sonoma County Knights Valley 2018
Friday, Jan 15, 2021
Score: 93
Color: Red
Country: United States
Region: California
Vintage: 2018
Aromas of fresh blackcurrants, dark chocolate, roasted coffee and tobacco. It’s medium-to full-bodied with firm, sleek tannins. Fresh and tight with a cool, stony finish. [...]
2018 Cabernet Sauvignon (Knights Valley)
Producer: Beringer Vineyards
Place of Origin: United States, Knight's [sic] Valley, Napa Valley
Color: Red
Rating: 91
Drinking Window: 2021 - 2028
From: Napa Valley’s Thrilling 2018s and 2019s, Parts 1 and 2 (Jan 2021)
The 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon (Knights Valley) is a very elegant wine, especially for the appellation. Sweet cherry, mint, rose petal, gravel, licorice and orange peel give the 2018 soaring aromatic nuance. This gracious, mid-weight Cabernet has so much to offer.
By: Antonio Galloni on February 2021
Beringer 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon (Knights Valley)
From: Knights Valley, Sonoma, California, US
Rating: 90 - Editors’ Choice
Winery: Beringer
Region: Sonoma
Alcohol: 14.6%
Variety: Cabernet Sauvignon
Wine Type: Red
Issue Date: 12/1/2021
This is a value-minded wine that overdelivers on its price point, with moderate tannin and oak showing and a lengthy expanse of rich dark berry fruit, baking spice and vanilla. The oak profile is [...] French [...].
Reviewed By: Virginie Boone
2018 Beringer Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon Knights Valley
Producer: Beringer Vineyards
Location: USA, California, North Coast, Sonoma County, Knights Valley
Color: Red
Rating: 90
Tasting Date: 1/27/2021
Maturity: 2021 - 2031
Reviewed By: Jeb Dunnuck
Source: Napa Valley’s 2018s
Lots of creme de cassis and plum-styled fruits emerge from the 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon Knights Valley, and it has medium-bodied richness, a charming, elegant texture, classic Cabernet chocolate, leafy herbs, and earthy notes, and a great finish. It’s another rock-solid, enjoyable, nicely textured Cabernet that’s well worth drinking over the coming 8-10 years.
Beringer Cabernet Sauvignon Knights Valley 2018
Score: 88
Wine Type and Color: Red Still
Reviewed By: James Molesworth
Primary Grape: Cabernet Sauvignon
Issue: Online Only Review - Published on September 23, 2021
Region: California / Sonoma / Knights Valley
Soft-edged, with crushed plum and warmed raspberry compote flavors taking the lead at first, though they're quickly caught by a swath of toasty vanilla that coats the finish. For fans of the style. [...]