Beringer has backed off the quantity of oak used in the Chardonnay Sbragia Limited Release, and the 2008 is all the better for it. Subtle pain grille and smoke notes are accompanied by opulent tropical fruit, buttered brioche, roasted nuts, and plenty of citrus oil and honeysuckle notes. It should drink nicely for 3-4 years. As I have written in the past, Beringer offers between 200-250 cases of each of their single vineyard Cabernet Sauvignons that go into their Private Reserve program. Interestingly, as good as the single vineyard cuvees tend to be, and they’re all very different, the Private Reserve blend is as good or better than the finest single vineyard, demonstrating that the blending process is essential and important. Tel. (707) 963-7115; Fax (707) 963-1735

Made from a selection of the best barrels from the Private Reserve program, the similarly-styled 2007 Chardonnay Sbragia Limited Release exhibits more layers as well as a bigger, bolder style. The wine is no better than the Private Reserve, just riper and slightly heavier. Both wines are top-flight Chardonnays to consume during their first 2-3 years of life. Beringer continues to turn out an impressive array of wines, proving that a gigantic global operation can be focused on quality and character. Beringer’s Pinot Noir program continues to show more and more promise. Beringer’s Cabernet Sauvignon program includes two outstanding bargains, one from Knight’s Valley and one from Napa. They are both serious Cabernet Sauvignons meant to be drunk young, but both are capable of lasting a decade or more. For their Private Club members, Beringer offers approximately 200 cases of all the single vineyards that go into their Private Reserve cuvee. I’ll keep my tasting notes brief since these wines are only available to Private Club members. However, it is always interesting that, aside from two or three of the single vineyards, the Private Reserve final blend is always the finest wine of the group. This has been proven time and time again at these tastings. Tel. (707) 963-7115; Fax (707) 963-1735