Beringer Knights Valley Alluvium Red 1998

Merlot has a kind of soothing suppleness in comparison with the structured power of Cabernet. I think thats 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 thats particularly appealing in this vintage, and thats 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.

"The 1998 Alluvium Proprietary Red is a blend of 75% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 5% Petit-Verdot, Malbec, and Cabernet Franc from Beringer's holdings in Knight's Valley. It offers a classy nose of minerals, lead pencil, plums, raspberries, and cherries. Drink this elegant, medium-bodied offering over the next 5-7 years."
-The Wine Advocate "Rich, with honeyed pear, fig and spicy cream notes that carry through to a lingering finish. 6,200 cases made." - Wine Spectator