As for recent Bancroft Vineyard Merlots, the 1991 boasts a huge nose of chocolate and nearly over-ripe black-cherries, with some oak and herbs adding to the bouquet's complexity. The wine is full-bodied, with a layered, opulent personality, super-ripeness, and a heady, chocolatey finish. It should drink well for 10-15 years. Beringer's Cabernet Sauvignons and Merlots continue to move from strength to strength. There are now five cuvees, starting with the Cabernet Sauvignon from Knight's Valley, and more recently a Meritage red wine, followed by the three flagship reds of the Beringer empire -the Merlot from the Bancroft Vineyard on Howell Mountain, the Cabernet Sauvignon from the Chabot Vineyard, and the Private Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon. Beringer has made significant investments in Howell Mountain vineyards where they produce their superb Merlot. Consumers can expect larger quantities of Beringer's Howell Mountain wines as they have planted a large vineyard directly across the driveway leading to Randy Dunn's winery. It is especially admirable when a winery the size, stature, and importance of Beringer continues to push the quality of its offerings to greater and greater heights. Given how successful this property has become, it would be easy to rest on its already sterling reputation, but no one at this historic winery appears satisfied with maintaining the status quo. Beringer has been on an amazing hot streak. Even more remarkable, given the huge diversity of high quality wines that emerge from this winery, consumers will find that upcoming releases are even more compelling than previous Beringer offerings - high praise indeed! Additionally, small experimental lots of dazzling wines such as Pinot Blanc, Pinot Auxerrois, Pinot Gris, Viognier, and Melon, sold only at the winery, prove that Beringer intends to produce more than world class Merlot, Chardonnay, and Cabernet Sauvignon-based wines. Given the tiny quantities (under 50 cases) of 1992 Pinot Gris, 1992 Pinot Blanc, 1992 Pinot Auxerrois, and 1992 Melon made, it is sufficient to say that if you ever visit Beringer and notice any of these wines for sale, do not hesitate to buy a few bottles. The blockbuster, rich, honeyed, orange, concentrated 1992 Pinot Blanc and the more mineral-scented, enticing, rich 1992 Pinot Auxerrois are terrific efforts. After sixteen years of visiting the world's best wine producers, I cannot think of too many cellars where I have walked out shaking my head at such an extraordinary range of quality as I have seen at Beringer on my two most recent visits! Tel. (707) 963-7115; Fax (707) 963-5054.