The red wines from winemaker Ed Killian, who has done a credible job for many years at Souverain, start with an excellent value, the 38,000-case 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon from Alexander Valley. One hundred percent Cabernet Sauvignon, this is an unqualified sleeper of the vintage. Sweet black currant notes intermixed with cedar wood, licorice, and underbrush are all present in this medium to full-bodied, opulent, round, generously endowed wine. Drink it over the next decade or more. This is one for Cabernet enthusiasts to stock up on. I only tasted one white from Souverain, which has a well-deserved reputation for offering considerable quality at favorable prices. Tel. (707) 433-8281; Fax (707) 433-5174

The 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon Alexander Valley is another very good value. Ripe black currant, herb, and spice box aromas are followed by a medium-bodied, attractive, fruity Cabernet with good texture, depth, and richness, and no hard edges. It should drink nicely for 7-8 years. Tel. (707) 433-8281; Fax (707) 433-5174

Both the 2005 and 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon Alexander Valley are straightforward, easy-going, mid-weight, pleasant efforts to drink during their first 5-7 years of life. One of the value producers in northern California, Souverain consistently fashions attractive red and white wines. Souverain’s Cabernet Sauvignon program features fruit from the Alexander Valley, which can produce wines with rustic tannins and earth. I do not believe the quality of the 2005s and 2006s is as high as it was in 2004, 2003, and 2002, nor as high as what they should accomplish in 2007. Nevertheless, the 2005s and 2006s are well-made wines. Tel. (707) 433-8281; Fax (707) 433-5174

The richly fruity, straightforward 2004 Cabernet Sauvignon Alexander Valley possesses spicy oak, elegant black currant fruit, tapenade, and underbrush characteristics. This tasty, fruit-forward, reasonably good value can be drunk over the next 7-8 years. Tel. (707) 433-8281; Fax (707) 433-5174

A sleeper, the 2002 Cabernet Sauvignon boasts wonderfully pure cassis fruit, less wood than its siblings, loads of concentration, and a long, heady finish with considerable purity, depth, and length. Drink this beauty during its first 15 years of life. (Release date 3/06) Tel. (707) 433-8281; Fax (707) 433-5174