Beringer Knights Valley Alluvium Red 1996

Merlot has a kind of soothing suppleness in comparison with the structured power of Cabernet. I think that's why the two grapes work so well together in the proportions I've selected for this wine. Knights Valley Merlot has a sweet, ripe black cherry, blackberry core that's particularly appealing in this vintage, and that's the character and flavor that prevail here. The Cabernet Sauvignon underlines the cherry, berry fruit flavors but adds a subtle minty herbal note and a bit of backbone. Then the other three varietals bring in their individual flavors and textures. The result, to me, is a wine with lots of personality, very expressive of our Knights Valley Vineyard.