89 pts – Wine Advocate
Beringer’s 1999 Private Reserve reveals a dense purple color along with a flinty, herbal, austere personality that comes across like a young Medoc. Still vigorous, primary and unformed at age 13, it does not reveal the volume and ampleness I would expect of a top-flight Cabernet Sauvignon from either Beringer or Napa Valley. There is decent density, but the tannins are high and I’m not sure they will completely resolve themselves before this wine hits full maturity in a decade or so.- Robert Parker (6/211)
93 pts – Wine Spectator
95 pts – Vinous
Ruby-red. Highly nuanced nose combines currant, plum, smoky oak, minerals, licorice and mint. Wonderfully sweet, sappy and dense. The most complex of these ’99 cabernets, with enticing flavors of currant, minerals and brown spices. Very long, slow-building finish features big but sweet and fine tannins. Suave and impressive. ST
