The 2007 Alluvium Red (78% Merlot, 19% Cabernet Sauvignon, and the rest Cabernet Franc and Malbec) is not as impressive as its white counterpart, but it possesses a dark ruby/purple color as well as notes of cranberries, mocha, roasted herbs, white chocolate, and spice. It is a medium-bodied, straightforward red to drink over the next 3-4 years. As I have written in the past, Beringer offers between 200-250 cases of each of their single vineyard Cabernet Sauvignons that go into their Private Reserve program. Interestingly, as good as the single vineyard cuvees tend to be, and they’re all very different, the Private Reserve blend is as good or better than the finest single vineyard, demonstrating that the blending process is essential and important.Tel. (707) 963-7115; Fax (707) 963-1735

This blend of all five Bordeaux varieties hails from a smaller, high elevation appellation bridging Sonoma County and Napa Valley. It’s jammy and spicy in red fruit, berry and cocoa flavors. Drink now. ——S.H.(2/1/2011)—— 88