Atalon Cabernet Sauvignon  2002
Napa Valley  
906198    (XD)            750 mL    $45   

TASTING NOTE: As usual this is a deep, dark, brooding cabernet. The nose is a mix of mint chocolate and smoky, black berry jam with subtle vanilla edges. The attack is young and aggressive but the tannins are round and well managed. Still a baby but the black berry dusty olives and orange peel spikes speak to the exotic. Like the merlot you can drink this now but patience will be rewarded over the next five to seven years minimum. Solid front to back like the vintage. The fruit comes off a maze of vineyards sources at Veeder Peak, Stagecoach, Peter Michael, Beckstoffer Tokalon and Rutherford, Keyes-Howell Mt., Oakville Home Estate and Diamond Mt.  Score - 93. (Anthony Gismondi, www.gismondionwine.com, May 13, 2005) 

BERINGER PRIVATE RESERVE BANCROFT RANCH MERLOT  1997
Howell Mountain, Napa Valley  
7062    (D)            750 mL    $150   

TASTING NOTE: The 1997 Merlot Bancroft Ranch (100% new oak) is a dense, full-bodied effort exhibiting black cherry liqueur, chocolate, mineral, and lead pencil aromas and flavors. Fleshy, full-bodied, and chewy, it will be undeniably seductive upon release. It should drink well for 15+ years.  Score - 92. (Robert Parker Jr., www.erobertparker.com, Dec. 2000)

BERINGER PRIVATE RESERVE BANCROFT RANCH MERLOT  2000
Howell Mountain, Napa Valley  
7088    (D)            750 mL    $149   

TASTING NOTE: Those who demand prettiness and polish in their Merlots may well be a bit disappointed with this slightly rugged and solidly built effort, but, as is often the case with mountain-grown wines, there is no want for muscle and mass here. Long on concentrated, ripe-cherry fruit and infused with a wealth of wonderfully rich oak, this one certainly swaggers a bit but has the depth to go with its obvious exuberance. It deserves to be held for another three to five years.  Score - 90. Connoisseurs' Guide to California Wines, March 2005)

BERINGER PRIVATE RESERVE BANCROFT RANCH MERLOT  2001
Howell Mountain, Napa Valley  
7096    (D)            750 mL    $149   

TASTING NOTE: The biggest, most backward effort among the Merlot-based cuvees is the impressively endowed 2001 Merlot Bancroft Ranch. It boasts a dark ruby/purple color in addition to a fragrant bouquet of earth, chocolate, black cherries, blackberries, and coffee. Give it another 1-3 years of bottle age and consume it over the following 10-15 years. Drink 2006-2021.  Score - 90. (Robert Parker Jr., www.erobertparker.com, Feb. 2005)

BERINGER PRIVATE RESERVE BANCROFT RANCH MERLOT  2002
Howell Mountain, Napa Valley  
340497    (D)            750 mL    $89   

TASTING NOTE: The single-vineyard bottling, the 2002 Merlot Bancroft Ranch, shows mocha-infused white chocolate, black cherry, and currant fruit with a hint of minerality and underbrush. Deep, full-bodied, rather rich, but overlaid by some serious structure and tannin, this is a relatively big styled Merlot that should age handsomely for 12 or more years.  Score - 90. (Robert Parker Jr., www.erobertparker.com, Dec. 2005)

BERINGER PRIVATE RESERVE CABERNET SAUVIGNON  1994
Napa Valley  
7039    (XD)            750 mL    $249   

TASTING NOTE: The terrific 1994 Cabernet Sauvignon Private Reserve offers an opaque purple color, a gorgeous nose of toasty oak, and a silky, concentrated texture with unobtrusive acidity or tannin. The wine possesses layered richness, remarkable balance, sweet, pure fruit, and a finish that lasts for nearly 30 seconds. These wines are aged in 100% new oak, and tend to possesses at least 97% Cabernet Sauvignon, with the balance Cabernet Franc. Amazingly, the oak is not a pronounced component in the final wine, a testament to excellent winemaking and the concentration these wines possess. Like so many top 1994s from Napa and Sonoma, this wine will be accessible when released in early 1998, but will age well for two decades. Drink 1997-2017.  Score - 94. (Robert Parker Jr., www.erobertparker.com, Dec. 1997)

BERINGER PRIVATE RESERVE CABERNET SAUVIGNON  1995
Napa Valley  
6973    (XD)            750 mL    $195   

TASTING NOTE: The 1995 Cabernet Sauvignon Private Reserve is a full-bodied, explosively rich, deep purple-colored wine bursting with ripe fruit. It displays smoky oak, gobs of cassis, a touch of cigar box and cedar, and a layered, multi-dimensional feel. This voluptuous, seductive offering is already drinking well, yet should age effortlessly for 15-20 years. Drink 1998-2018. Score - 93. (Robert Parker Jr., www.erobertparker.com, Dec. 1998)

BERINGER PRIVATE RESERVE CABERNET SAUVIGNON  1996
Napa Valley  
6981    (XD)            750 mL    $175   

TASTING NOTE: The 1996 Cabernet Sauvignon Private Reserve reveals more concentration as well as higher tannin than the 1995. I know it is a trade-off, but I suspect this vintage will not be as sexy in its youthfulness as the 1995. The black ruby/purple-colored 1996 offers more licorice, in addition to the obvious levels of pain grille, jammy black currant fruit, and spice notes. Structured, full-bodied, and powerful, this may be a Private Reserve to cellar for several years, and consume over the subsequent 15-18. Drink 2001-2019.  Score - 91. (Robert Parker Jr., www.erobertparker.com, Dec. 1998)

BERINGER PRIVATE RESERVE CABERNET SAUVIGNON  1999
Napa Valley  
(Beringer)
6999    (XD)            750 mL    $150   

TASTING NOTE: 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.  Score - 93. (James Laube, www.winespectator.com, June 15, 2003)

BERINGER PRIVATE RESERVE CABERNET SAUVIGNON  2001
Napa Valley  
7005    (XD)            750 mL    $149   

TASTING NOTE: When all of these cuvees are blended together, the result is the finest Cabernet Sauvignon yet made by Ed Sbragia, the 2001 Cabernet Sauvignon Private Reserve … As I reported last year, the 2001 is an extraordinary effort. Large-scaled yet elegant, it boasts classic notes of creme de cassis, chocolate, and smoky oak. With extraordinary voluptuousness, great concentration, tremendous intensity, and a finish that lasts nearly 60 seconds, this saturated purple-colored, full-bodied Cabernet Sauvignon is one of the greatest wines ever made at Beringer. It is a tribute to the brilliant Ed Sbragia. Anticipated maturity: 2007-2023.  Score - 96. (Robert Parker Jr., www.erobertparker.com, Feb. 2005)

Martin Ray Cabernet Sauvignon  2003
Santa Cruz Mountains  
48637    (XD)            750 mL    $39   

TASTING NOTE: I love this Cab for its dryness, richness and balance. It’s a lovely wine, poised between thick tannins, crisp acids, ripe blackberry fruit and ample new oak, but it is young. As polished as it is now, it should soften and sweeten with a few years of bottle age. Best 2007–2010.  Score - 93. (Steve Heimoff, Wine Enthusiast, Feb. 2007)

MOUNT EDEN VINEYARDS CABERNET SAUVIGNON  2003
Santa Cruz Mountains  
31831    (D)            750 mL    $49   

TASTING NOTE: (includes 22% merlot and 3% cabernet franc) Deep ruby-red. Complex aromas of cassis, blackberry, smoked meat, minerals, menthol and flowers, plus a suggestion of licorice with aeration. Juicy, minerally and tightly wound, with flavors of dark berries and menthol. This distinctly old-school cabernet has plenty of fruit but no easy sweetness. Rather uncompromising today owing to its firm acid structure. I'd give it a good seven or eight years of cellaring.  Score - 89 (+?). (Stephen Tanzer, International Wine Cellar, Sept./Oct. 2006)

PAHLMEYER MERLOT  2003
Napa Valley  
50955    (XD)            1500 mL    $259   

TASTING NOTE: The 2003 Merlot is one of the top three or four Merlots in California. A huge nose of melted chocolate, roasted coffee, black cherry, and charcoal jumps from the glass of this full-bodied, opulent, sexy Merlot. It is a delicious, savory, heady wine to drink over the next 7-8 years.  Score - 92. (Robert Parker Jr., www.erobertparker.com, Dec. 2005) 

PHILIP TOGNI CABERNET SAUVIGNON  2003
Spring Mountain District, Napa Valley  
31351    (XD)            750 mL    $139   

TASTING NOTE: Not surprisingly, Togni’s 2003 Cabernet Sauvignon Estate has put on weight, and is performing even better out of bottle than it did from cask. Its inky/purple color is accompanied by classic aromas and flavors of creme de cassis, black currants, blackberries, dried herbs, smoke, barbecue spice, licorice, and tapenade. The wine is full-bodied, pure, and concentrated, with firmly structured tannin. While our culture prizes immediate gratification, these beauties require bottle age, and I rarely touch a Togni Cabernet Sauvignon before age 8 or 10. The 2003 requires another 7-8 years of cellaring, and should last for three decades or more. …  Score - 95. (Robert Parker Jr., www.erobertparker.com, Dec. 2005)

ROBERT MONDAVI OAKVILLE CABERNET SAUVIGNON  1998
Oakville District, Napa Valley  
687343    (D)            750 mL    $59   

TASTING NOTE: Not second to its 1999 mate by very much, and probably a little bigger and fuller on the palate, this very attractive wine is a bit less fruity overall and reveals a somewhat pushy toasty, leathery edge that lends a fair bit of complexity. Its underlying structure is supple and balanced with well-integrated tannins for grip. It can age for a few years yet.  Score - 89. Connoisseurs' Guide to California Wines, Dec. 2002) 

RUTHERFORD HILL MERLOT RESERVE  2001
Napa Valley  
(Rutherford Hill)
642348    (D)            750 mL    $99   

TASTING NOTE: Back in the ‘70s, this winery specialized in Merlot and helped put it on the fine wine map. This wine, in a thick, heavy bottle, is elegant, complex and probably ageable. It’s fairly tannic, but possesses a molten core of cherry and mocha fruit and a lilting balance that bode well for the future. Now through 2010.  Score - 94. (Steve Heimoff, Wine Enthusiast, April 2005)

Aged for 11 months in French, Hungarian and American oak, this lovely Merlot blend displays a lot of upfront fruit with cranberry and black cherry aromas mixed with herbal, tea-like and toasted oak nuances. The palate is full of intense cherry flavours and the finish is nice and smooth. It is an elegant and charming wine that will be a terrific match for chicken and light curry dishes. It will also reward up to 5 years in a cellar.

SPOTTSWOODE ESTATE CABERNET SAUVIGNON  2003
Napa Valley  
41335    (XD)            1500 mL    $249   

TASTING NOTE: Another strong Cabernet Sauvignon from the estate vineyards, the 2003 has a dense ruby/purple color and a beautiful nose of graphite intermixed with blueberry, creme de cassis, and acacia flower. The wine is full-bodied, has decent acidity, sweet, well-integrated tannin, and subtle wood. This is a beauty and certainly one of the more impressively constituted and elegant wines of the vintage. The final blend was 96% Cabernet Sauvignon and 4% Cabernet Franc. It should drink well for 15+ years.  Score - 94. (Robert Parker Jr., www.erobertparker.com, Dec. 2006) 

St. Supéry Élu Meritage  2002
Napa Valley  
52191    (XD)            750 mL    $75   

TASTING NOTE: Elu is St. Supery’s Napa Valley Bordeaux blend. Largely Cabernet Sauvignon, with a little Merlot and Petit Verdot, it is really a gorgeous wine. Hard to describe how smooth and rich it feels in the mouth. There’s lots of dusty tannins, rich blackberry essence, cherry fruit and chocolate flavor, and sweet toasty oak. The wine is beautiful now, but it should glide along and improve for another 10 years.  Score - 94. (Steve Heimoff, Wine Enthusiast, March 2007)

Veraison Cabernet Sauvignon  2003
Napa Valley, Stagecoach Vineyard  

(Krupp Brothers)
52159    (XD)            750 mL    $65   

TASTING NOTE: Good deep medium ruby.Cool aromas of blackberry, gingerbread, fruitcake, bitter chocolate and leather. Supple and sweet but tangy in the mouth, with lively notes of spicy herbs and berry skin, along with a slightly funky leathery element.This slightly clenched wine possesses good sweetness, though, and finishes with broad, dusty tannins.  Score - 89. (Stephen Tanzer, International Wine Cellar, Jan./Feb. 2007)