1997 Chateau St. Jean "Cinq Cépages" Sonoma County Cabernet Sauvignon
SKU #991052
96 points
Wine Spectator
Ultrarich and chocolaty, with layers of cedar, plum, currant and black cherry, revealing uncommon depth and tiers of flavor as it picks up coffee, toffee and anise. Finishes with firm tannins. (JL)
(11/2000)
94 points
Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
The 1997 Cinq Cepages is a blend of 75% Cabernet Sauvignon and the balance Merlot, Malbec, Cabernet Franc, and Petit-Verdot, it boasts a super-complex bouquet of licorice, dried herbs, black currants, spice box, and cherry liqueur. In the mouth, notes of chocolate, new oak, and red and black fruits caress the palate in a medium to full-bodied, succulent style. Aged in 50% new and 50% one-year old French barrels, it is bottled with no fining or filtration. Fleshy and complex, this is California's answer to a big, rich St-Emilion. (RP)
(12/2000)
90 points
Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar
Ruby-red. Complex nose melds blackberry, cassis, cherry, lead pencil, flowers and rather high-toned tarry oak scents. Fairly dense but juicy, with bright cherry/berry and tobacco flavors. Still a bit unforthcoming in the middle. At once sweet and structured. Finishes with big, dusty tannins and very good length. The most promising vintage to date for this bottling. (ST)
(12/2001)