Chateau St. Jean Cinq Cepages 2003
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Fruit for this Cabernet Sauvignon was selected from the finest Bordeaux variety vineyards in Sonoma County: 60% from Alexander Valley, 15% from Sonoma Valley, 15% from Knights Valley, 6% from Russian River Valley and 4% Dry Creek Valley to assemble a wine that showcases Sonoma County. The Alexander Valley grapes highlight bright berry with back notes of dried herbs, while the Sonoma Valley fruit is from the St. Jean Estate Vineyard, and brings black and dense mountain fruit to the blend. The Knights Valley fruit adds a firm mouthfeel and pronounced tannins and the Dry Creek Valley grapes tend toward dark, dense black cherry and berry fruitflavors with a rich mouthfeel. The Russian River Valley brings exotic aromas and lush textures to complete the blend.
A classic Cinq Cépages, the 2003 vintage offers the signature chocolate-covered cherry and boysenberry aromas that have come to define this flagship Sonoma County Cabernet Sauvignon. Lush, elegant and gracefully balanced, the wine delivers sweet plum and dark berry flavors and an exotic floral note that wraps around big, juicy tannins. This highly concentrated wine has beautiful oak integration and a lushnessthroughout that leads to a lingering finish.
Professional Ratings
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Wine Enthusiast
Smooth and complex, with 78% Cab Sauvignon contributing the firm tannic backbone that gives this such excellent structure. The other four Bordeaux varieties are here as well. The flavors are so interesting: black cherries, blackberry jam, plum sauce, coffee, root beer and new oak. There's an acidic vibrancy as well. Just beautiful California claret.
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
A blend of 78% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Merlot and the rest Cabernet Franc, Malbec and Petit Verdot that finished at 14.4% alcohol, this highly desirable wine comes from Alexander Valley (two-thirds) and the rest from Sonoma Valley, Knight’s Valley and a small amount from Dry Creek in Russian River. The Bordeaux blend, which has been a consistent winner for the Beringer empire, is performing well in 2003. Notes of lavender, roasted herbs, licorice, sweet blackberries and Asian plums emerge from this intense, medium to full-bodied, lush red wine.
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Founded in 1973 in the Sonoma Valley, Chateau St. Jean is the quintessential Sonoma winery. Chateau St. Jean produces an extensive portfolio of Sonoma County wines as well as vineyard designated wines, limited production Reserve wines, and the flagship Cinq Cépages Cabernet Sauvignon. Winemaker Margo Van Staaveren uses her more than 30 years of vineyard and winemaking expertise with Chateau St. Jean to continue the tradition of highlighting the best of each vineyard site to produce exceptional wines. Chateau St. Jean was the first Sonoma winery to be awarded the prestigious “Wine of the Year” award from Wine Spectator Magazine for its 1996 Cinq Cépages, a Bordeaux style blend of “five varieties” and has long been recognized as a leader in vineyard designated wines.