Tasting Notes                         

90+  2005  Chateau St. Jean  Cinq Cepages  Cabernet Sauvignon (Sonoma County)  5/31/10 ($55)

  14.4% alc, a blend of C.S., Cabernet Franc, Malbec, Merlot and Petite Verdot
Color: Deep purple garnet. (3.0) Bouquet: Ripe blackberries, cassis and cocoa powder. (3.0) Body: Light heavyweight with excellent fruit, smooth, but firm tannins and good acidity. Also has a rich mouthfeel that really coats. Well structured and well balanced. (3.5) Flavor: Parallels bouquet, but shows a little green oak here. (3.0) Finish: Parallels flavor with a little bitterness from oak. (3.0)
Overall: An excellent Bordeaux blend with tasty Cabernet fruit, but needs time for the green oak and tannins to totally integrate. Fortunately, it has both the structure and balance to improve in the next 4-6 years. Some might say this is pricey, but if you slapped Napa Valley on the label it would be proclaimed a bargain. (15.5)

 

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