Winemaker Ed Sbragia hand-selected the grapes for the 1997 Beringer Private Reserve Merlot from their Bancroft Ranch vineyard on Howell Mountain in Napa Valley.  He aged the wine for twenty-one months in new French Nevers oak barrels to create a highly complex Merlot, with layers of intense mountain fruit flavors.  Grown, produced and bottled by Beringer Vineyards, St. Helena, California.

• 93 points from the Wine Spectator: “Quite rich and flavorful, with layers of currant, black cherry, anise, cedar and toasty vanilla-scented note, finishing long and detailed.”


• 92 points from Robert Parker: “The 1997 Merlot Bancroft Ranch (100% new oak) is a dense, full-bodied effort exhibiting black cherry liqueur, chocolate aromas and flavors.  Fleshy, full-bodied, and chewy, it will be undeniably seductive upon release.”


• 93 points from the Wine Advocate