Beringer Private Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon Pr 2007

Quite loamy and earthy, yet therersquo;s a savory richness, with dried currant, sage and cedary oak flavors. Excellent balance and persistence. Best from 2008 through 2012.

The 2002 Cabernet Sauvignon Private Reserve may not equal the fabulous concentration and intensity of the 2001, but itrsquo;s not far off the mark. It is a fruit-forward, softer, more flamboyant, already seductive effort displaying gorgeous notes of chocolaty creme de cassis, some spicy, high-quality, toasty oak, a rich, plush, savory, expansive mid-palate, and a long, heady finish with elevated glycerin and plenty of sweet tannin and fruit. This wine is delicious yet promises to age gorgeously for 15ndash;20 years. Ed Sbragia compares it to the 1992 which, by the way, is drinking superbly in 2005, but is one of those rare vintages that has never gone through a closed period. Itrsquo;s always a fascinating education to taste through these component parts, but the resulting blend that Ed Sbragia puts together, the extraordinary Private Reserve, is one of the great Cabernet Sauvignons of California and he has fashioned a succession of beauties since 1991.

Creamy blackberry, cassis, toasty oak and vanilla aromas lead off here. This elegant wine is loaded with additional flavors redolent of licorice, tobacco, spice and dense berries. Itrsquo;s all couched in supple, velvety tannins. Long and lush at the end.

The winersquo;s opaque purple color is followed by a promising sweet, smoky, chocolatey, licorice, and blackcurrent-scented nose, and deep, powerful, full-bodied flavors. Abundant tannin in the finish suggests this is a Private Reserve to lay away for 2ndash;3 years. Normally these Private Reserves possess a precociousness and silky, up-front richness. Aromatically the 1993 Private Reserve is rewarding, but after the initial attack of sweet fruit, the winersquo;s tannin takes precedence. It is an outstanding wine, but more of a long-term prospect. Anticipated maturity: 2000ndash;2015.

Ed Sbragia blends this wine from either sites. the Steinhauer Ranch on Howell Mountain made the largest contribution to this vintage (42 percent), followed by the St. Helena Home Ranch (18) and Bancroft Ranch (15). His 2004 shares the lush seamlessness that has long characterized the blend, but it also has a dark savor, with more character to the tannins than has been apparent in past vintages. the saturated fruit has a gunflint edge,, a tight, mineral structure that will develop with age. Serve it with the dark meat of game birds, such as roast squab.

This is a big, rich, flashy Cab. Itrsquo;s very ripe, brimming with jammy blackberry, currant, chocolate-covered raisin and spicy olive flavors. Drinks soft and opulent in instant appeal, but doesnrsquo;t seem like a longterm ager. Best now through 2010.

Complex aromas of currant, herb, tobacco, olive and cedar lead to similar flavors in a rich, concentrated yet elegant presentation. Turns smooth and creamy, with vanilla, mocha and blackberry flavors peeking through on the finish. Best from 2005 through 2014.