WTN: Ranch Hand

[David M. Bueker]

• 1996 Beringer Vineyards Merlot Private Reserve Bancroft Ranch - USA, California, Napa Valley, Howell Mountain (3/8/2025)
  Hard to believe that this is nearly 30 years old. There’s still an abundance of red fruit to go along with maturing savory elements, excellent depth, and a succulent finish. Sexy stuff that avoids going over the top. Yet another example of how good these older Beringer PR wine were back in the day, as well as the high quality of the often overlooked 1996 vintage. While not totally old school, 1996 harkens back to the classic era, rather than just being another step into the 1997 and forward modern Napa.

Thanks for the note - impressive showing for the merlot. I have a vertical of the cab 1991-94 that I hope to do this summer. Great stuff!

[David M. Bueker]

You may have seen that I opened the 1993 Cab a few weeks ago. It was great.

I was trying to recall when Parkerization really took hold and at least some producers moved toward the fruit bomb style to impress him and get higher scores - I think it was the mid 90s so earlier wines weren't made in his style.

[David M. Bueker]

I was trying to recall when Parkerization really took hold and at least some producers moved toward the fruit bomb style to impress him and get higher scores - I think it was the mid 90s so earlier wines weren't made in his style.

Based on what I have been tasting in the last couple of years as I worked through some of the 1990s wines from my dad's cellar, while there may have been a bit of creep in terms of richness/ripeness before 1997, it was really that vintage that marked the clear break into Parkerization. 1998-2000 put a bit of pause on it due to vintage conditions, and then 2001 completely jumped the shark.

[Jenise]

I absolutely loved these merlots back in the early 90's. Owned quite a few 94's and 95's, and probably haven't had one since. Always considered it the poster child for what merlot could be.

Great merlot post so thanks.

[David M. Bueker]

I absolutely loved these merlots back in the early 90's. Owned quite a few 94's and 95's, and probably haven't had one since. Always considered it the poster child for what merlot could be.

The wines were great up until 1997 when all hell broke loose. There are some 20013 and 2017 bottles in dad’s cellar, so I am going to find out if some degree of sanity ever returned.