Chocolate, coffee, herb, and earth characteristics jump from the glass of the 2001 Cabernet Sauvignon Chabot Vineyard. It is also tannic and austere. (Release date 9/05) Tel. (707) 963-7115; Fax (707) 963-1735

Chocolate, coffee, herb, and earth characteristics jump from the glass of the 2001 Cabernet Sauvignon Chabot Vineyard. It is also tannic and austere. (Release date 9/05)Tel. (707) 963-7115; Fax (707) 963-1735

I have always found Beringer’s limited-production, single-vineyard Cabs to be exceedingly tannic wines, and this one still is, even though it’s more than four years old. Granted, there’s tremendous blackberry and cherry fruit, and the wine is balanced, so it should be an ager. But unless you can deal with tannins, it will be a long time. Hold until 2008 and try again. ——S.H.(8/1/2006)—— 89