Why You'll Love This Wine Mountain-grown Cabernet from one of Howell Mountain's most prized sites. Bancroft Ranch sits at 1,800 feet on the western slope—volcanic soils, intense sun, and cool mountain air create wines with concentration and structure that valley-floor fruit simply can't match. This is single-vineyard Beringer at its finest. 94 points, James Suckling.
Tasting Notes Bright and vivid with gorgeous complexity. Aromas of blueberry, black currant, dried flowers, and crushed rock give way to a medium-to-full body with bright red fruit, plum cordial, and cassis. Layers of iron, grilled herbs, and dark chocolate add depth. The tannins are bold yet ultra-fine—incisive without being aggressive—leading to a long, fascinating finish that just keeps going.
Food Pairings
- Prime ribeye or filet mignon
- Braised short ribs
- Lamb chops with herbs
- Aged hard cheeses
Why It Works Bancroft Ranch's gritty white volcanic tuff soil is shallow, infertile, and extremely well-drained—exactly what Cabernet vines need to struggle and produce intensely flavored, thick-skinned berries. The 2017 vintage delivered lower-than-average yields after abundant winter rains, concentrating flavors even further. Now entering its prime drinking window (through 2037), this is mountain Cabernet that rewards cellaring but drinks beautifully today with a decant. A wine that shows what Howell Mountain elevation and Beringer's 150+ years of winemaking expertise can achieve together.
