WineLovers Discussion Group

I have Beringer Knights Valley Cabernet (not Reserve) '07, '09, and 10. Also Chateau Ste. Michele Cabernet Columbia Valley '08.
I check the vintage charts in WS and WE, but can't figure what to drink and what to hold, and until when.
Any help (and tn's) would be appreciated.

No need to complicate it Marlyne. None of those wines require extended cellaring and are basically ready to go upon release. The Beringers will hold for years but won't necessarily improve. I say drink 'em whenever you like starting with the oldest and enjoy!

Thanks so much for the info. I guess there are those cabs that will age (Montelena or Monte Bello) and those that are really for imbibing. I was told to let the Ridge Zins gather some dust before opening, so didn't know what to do about these. Got a bunch of drinking ahead of me!!! Only good times.

Ridge Zinfandels can be very long lived. I recently had a 1991 Lytton Springs Ridge Zin that was very enjoyable. It had been stored perfectly, which is of course vital. So if you have a few of these sample them a few years apart and you'll know if you prefer them young or with more age on them. Enjoy your good times!

Isn't it something like only 2% of wines are really made with the intention that they should be aged?

My experience with Beringers KV is almost entirely with 2000 and earlier vintages. Always a good steak wine young. But I grabbed a case of 97 a couple years ago at auction at a very low price, all have been nice examples of mature CS. And a single bottle of '78 3 years ago still had life.