Warm ripe and generous with plush herb plum chocolate and toasty oak flavors and the concentration suppleness and finesse you expect from Merlot. The pretty finish echoes the plum and herb notes. A fine expression. Drink now to 1996 and beyond. 400 400 cases made.

Beringer's Merlot from the Bancroft Vineyard on Howell Mountain is one of the top three or four California Merlots. The 1987 Merlot from the Bancroft Vineyard is a powerful rich concentrated surprisingly large-scaled Merlot with at least a decade's worth of aging potential. While drinkable now it is clearly not as soft as the 1988 and 1990. There is plenty of punch and tannin in the finish but the tannin is neither astringent nor coarse. Deep ruby in color full and impressive this is another meritorious effort from Beringer Vineyards. Beringer continues to do everything right. Its staff of talented professionals may rank as the best in the business. Beringer possesses some experimental batches of wine that are not likely to be released outside the winery. However given the quality of such wines as their 1992 Pinot Blanc 1992 Melon 1992 Pinot Gris 1992 Auxerrois and 1992 Viogner they are breaking new ground in California. Moreover prices are reasonable.