2006 Chateau St. Jean - Cabernet Sauvignon Cinq Cépages Sonoma County

Showing the usual balance and harmony of this bottling, which is made from the five Bordeaux varieties, the ’06 nonetheless lacks a bit of the richness of other vintages. It’s beautifully clean and dry, with sound currant, blackberry, herb tea and cedar flavors, but is missing a certain fatness in the middle. Best now–2012.

The 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon Cinq Cepages (in this vintage, truly a Cabernet Sauvignon rather than a proprietary red as it is a blend of 83% Cabernet Sauvignon and the rest Merlot, Malbec, Cabernet Franc, and Petit Verdot) possesses soft, seductive notes of cedarwood, roasted herbs, licorice, red and black currants, and dusty, loamy soil undertones. Medium to full-bodied and silky-textured, it can be enjoyed in its youth or cellared for a decade.

A classic Cinq Cépages with signature notes of blackberry jam, red raspberry, milk chocolate and violet. The palate offers a rich, dark fruit density surrounded by well-structured tannins. Layers of generous black plum and fresh-picked blackberries combine with notes of black tea and mocha. This wine has beautiful oak integration and a lushness throughout that leads to a lingering finish with hints of blackberry and clove.