The 2010 Cabernet Sauvignon Private Reserve is built from completely different sources. Sixty-six percent came from the St. Helena Home Ranch, 18% from the Chabot Vineyard, and the rest from Beringer’s estates in St. Helena, Rutherford and Coombsville. It is 100% Cabernet Sauvignon that came in at 14.6% natural alcohol with a pH of 3.8. Perhaps the greatest Beringer Private Reserve since the 2007, 2005, 2002 and 2001, the 2010 offers up notes of lead pencil shavings, creme de cassis, subtle smoke, wet rocks and background oak. Full-bodied, rich and impressive, it can be drunk now or cellared for two decades. Despite the enormity of this enterprise (multiple wineries and a global network), the flagship estate in northern California, Beringer Vineyards, continues to be in very capable winemaking hands, and the quality of the wines remains exceptionally impressive, particularly when you look at some of the huge production numbers of their lower priced offerings. The red wines currently in the market are from the challenging 2011 vintage. As for the Private Reserve Cabernets, production can vary significantly depending on the vintage, from around 8,000 cases to nearly twice that in an abundant year. As for the single vineyard wines, I will keep my notes short as these are only available to members of the Beringer Wine Club. I was surprised by how strongly all these 2011s performed, but three of the single vineyards are on Howell Mountain. These are all excellent wines, but it seems to me that the Private Reserve, a blend of the best lots from these sources, always turns out to be Beringer’s finest Cabernet Sauvignon. Tel. (707) 963-8989

The flagship 2010 Cabernet Sauvignon Private Reserve is utterly impeccable from start to finish. A round, sumptuous wine – especially within the context of the vintage – the 2010 Private Reserve wraps around the palate with mocha, chocolate, blackberries and dark cherries. With time in the glass, hints of sage, rosemary and savory herbs emerge, adding further depth and dimension. I am quite curious to revisit the 2010 once it goes into bottle. There is plenty of potential here. Beringer’s Home Vineyard is the core of the blend, with important contributions from Chabot and Meteor, and to a lesser extent, Tournah and Verhey. Anticipated maturity: 2020-2030. This lineup from Beringer is full of highlights. The top Cabernet Sauvignon bottlings are terrific, but I am just as drawn to the entry and mid-tier offerings for their superb value and wide availability in the market. Tel. (707) 963-7115

Deep crimson. Very complete and luscious on the nose. I'd be very happy to drink this as a nightcap – great balance if you don't mind the warm finish – but I think it could be a bit of a knockout blow at the dinner table. Certainly very well made. Very typical Napa Valley Cab well done. (JR)