The best wine of this group is the 2003 Cabernet Sauvignon Private Reserve. For statisticians, the composition includes 32% from the St. Helena Home Vineyard, 19% from the Steinhauer Ranch, 12% from Marston Vineyard, 12% from Bancroft Ranch, 8% from the Quarry Vineyard, 6% from Rancho del Oso, 6% from Chabot, 3% from Bancroft, and 2% from Steinhauer Ranch. All these grapes were hand-picked between September 19 and October 28. This is a winner that is seemingly just entering its plateau of full maturity. It boasts a dense ruby/purple color along with a sweet bouquet of black currants, creme de cassis, chocolate fudge, subtle barbecue scents, and hints of lavender, forest floor and tobacco leaf. Full-bodied, rich and dense, it is a classic Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon, as it has been in just about every vintage. The acidity is relatively low, and the 14.1% alcohol is average for a ripe Napa Cabernet. The pH is 3.71, which is just above average. This is a full-bodied, multidimensional red wine that should continue to drink well for at least another 10-15 years. As I have indicated before, the Private Reserve is a blend from at least six separate vineyards owned by Beringer. Most are Howell Mountain sites, although there are two in St. Helena and one on Spring Mountain. Beringer offers their single vineyard cuvees to their private and wine list customers at the winery, and they are often worth taking a look at, as in certain vintages they can truly excel. I find it remarkable that the Beringer winemaking team continues to show their genius by the fact that their Private Reserve is always the finest of them, and it’s the one that is blended with the other single vineyards. In any event, the following is a quick synopsis of the 2003 single vineyard offerings, which are all limited in availability. Tel. (707) 963-7115

Production: 12,500 cases; Alcohol: 14.1%; Blend: 100% Cabernet Sauvignon; Harvest Dates: September 19 to October 28. Composed of 32% St. Helena Home Ranch fruit, 19% Steinhauer Ranch, 12% Marston Ranch, Bancroft Ranch and the balance a small amount from the Quarry Vineyard, Rancho del Oso and Chabot Vineyard, this is a strong effort in a vintage that was not expected to perform as well as it did. The 2003 appears to have more potential longevity than the 2002. An elegant Cabernet, it reveals abundant notes of chocolate, black cherries, black currants and earth in its dense, medium to full-bodied personality. With beautiful purity, sweet tannin and a nicely delineated, structured mouthfeel, it is still a young, but accessible wine that will not reach full maturity for another 5-6 years. It should keep for at least two decades.