Beringer’s 2011 Chardonnay impresses for its balance and harmony. Another wine that punches above its weight, the Chardonnay is laced with bright citrus and floral notes, all in a focused, vibrant style that is incredibly appealing. The partial malo style gives the wine plenty of depth, while not overwhelming the sheer vibrancy of the aromas and flavors. This is another terrific value. Anticipated maturity: 2012-2014. This lineup from Beringer is full of highlights. The top Cabernet Sauvignon bottlings are terrific, but I am just as drawn to the entry and mid-tier offerings for their superb value and wide availability in the market.Tel. (707) 963-7115

The 2010 Chardonnay offers good up-front fruit and an accessible, easygoing personality. Layers of tropical fruit, smoke and licorice wrap around the finish. About 60% of the wine was allowed to go through malolactic fermentation. Anticipated maturity: 2011-2013. Tel. (707) 963-7115

One of the best buys in the Chardonnay marketplace remains Beringer’s 2009 Chardonnay Napa. In fact, I would rank it right up there with Kendall-Jackson’s 2009 Vintner’s Reserve. Beringer’s offering shows elegant white peach and honeysuckle notes in a crisp, medium-bodied style. What is surprising is how much flavor and intensity they have been able to build into this wine, which probably can be found discounted to $12 a bottle. As always, Beringer sells all their single vineyard Cabernet Sauvignons that make up the blend for the Private Reserve to their VIP customers at the winery or through their mailing list. Interestingly, each year when I taste through these wines, the sum of the individual parts is always the best wine. In short, the Private Reserve always seems to outscore and show more complexity than most of the single vineyard Cabernets. Nevertheless, it is an exercise in single vineyard terroirs and is an interesting process. Usually there are around 250 cases of each of these single vineyard offerings. The single vineyard offerings are all noteworthy, and analytically, they are more similar than dissimilar. The alcohols range from a low of 14.5% to 14.9%. Not surprisingly, one of my favorites, the Bancroft Ranch, was the largest component part of the Private Reserve.Tel. (707) 963-7115; Fax (707) 963-1735

A sleeper of the vintage as well as a stunning value, the 2008 Chardonnay Napa ranks alongside some of the great bargains in California Chardonnay such as Kendall-Jackson’s Vintner’s Reserve. Orange blossom, lemon oil, peach, and pineapple notes are restrained, but noticeable in this medium-bodied, fruit-driven effort. A subtle note of oak provides structure and delineation. This, too, will drink well for several 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

Another remarkable bargain is the 45,000-case cuvee of 2007 Chardonnay Napa. It exhibits crisp notes of pineapples and oranges, zesty acidity, little oak, and a fresh, medium-bodied finish. Readers looking for more smoke and roasted nut characteristics in a bigger, fuller-bodied style should seek out the 2007 Chardonnay Private Reserve and 2007 Chardonnay Sbragia Limited Release. Beringer continues to turn out an impressive array of wines, proving that a gigantic global operation can be focused on quality and character. Beringer’s Pinot Noir program continues to show more and more promise. Beringer’s Cabernet Sauvignon program includes two outstanding bargains, one from Knight’s Valley and one from Napa. They are both serious Cabernet Sauvignons meant to be drunk young, but both are capable of lasting a decade or more. For their Private Club members, Beringer offers approximately 200 cases of all the single vineyards that go into their Private Reserve cuvee. I’ll keep my tasting notes brief since these wines are only available to Private Club members. However, it is always interesting that, aside from two or three of the single vineyards, the Private Reserve final blend is always the finest wine of the group. This has been proven time and time again at these tastings.Tel. (707) 963-7115; Fax (707) 963-1735