Chateau St. Jean Cinq Cépages Sonoma County Red Blend 1997

David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

My second bottle of five. This better than the first. I can tell you I didn’t pay $150 as shown on Delectable. The nose reveals floral; blackberries, black raspberries, dark dry cherries, poached strawberries, some raspberries & blueberries. Soft baking spices-clove, nutmeg, cinnamon, vanillin, steeped tea, dry top soil, crushed, powdery limestone/sandstone, dry crushed rocks, whiff of pepper, mixed darker berry licorice/cola, forest floor w/ dry leaves, bay leaf, old, used leather, dry tobacco w/ some ash, dry brush/tumbleweed, spice, withering yet brightly floraled, red, dark, blue and liquid violets. The palate fruits are, still ripe & juicy; floral; blackberries, black raspberries, dark dry cherries, poached strawberries, touch of purple fruits, some raspberries & blueberries. Soft baking spices-clove, nutmeg, cinnamon, vanillin, steeped tea, celery, dry top soil, crushed, powdery limestone/sandstone, dry crushed rocks, hints of pepper, mixed darker berry licorice/cola, forest floor w/ dry leaves, bay leaf, old, used leather, dry tobacco w/ some ash, mushrooms tones, muddy grey volcanics & clay, dry river stone, dry brush/tumbleweed, spice, withering yet brightly floraled, red, dark, blue and liquid violets, rainfall acidity, the finish is amazingly well structured & tensioned, balanced, elegant, nicely polished finish that lasts minutes falling onto spice & minerals. Style & age 94. Technically 93.