Chateau St. Jean

Sonoma County Merlot

8.613 ratings
8.82 pro ratings
Sonoma County, California, USA
Merlot
Beef, Venison, Salami & Prosciutto, Chili & Hot Spicy, Potato, Exotic Spices, Lamb, White Rice, Baking Spices, Herbs, Pasta, Chicken, Mushrooms, Pungent Cheese, Turkey, Tomato-Based, Soft Cheese, Pork, Beans & Peas, Hard Cheese, Duck, Onion, Shallot, Garlic
Top Notes For
Jay Svoboda

Not going to rewrite the book on California merlot - if that’s your thing, you’ll like this, if it’s not you probably won’t - but definitely drinkable. Plenty of boysenberry pie, dark chocolate, creme brûlée and a hint of smoke drive this one forward. Soft and lush, it’s by no means a disappointment, it’s just not terribly interesting.

Not going to rewrite the book on California merlot - if that’s your thing, you’ll like this, if it’s not you probably won’t - but definitely drinkable. Plenty of boysenberry pie, dark chocolate, creme brûlée and a hint of smoke drive this one forward. Soft and lush, it’s by no means a disappointment, it’s just not terribly interesting.

1 person found it helpfulApr 3rd, 2018
Bob Bryden

Founder The Lake Sommelier, LLC, Author Wine Talk

8.8

Had this 4 or 5 months ago. A nice, comfortable Merlot with loads of fruit.

Had this 4 or 5 months ago. A nice, comfortable Merlot with loads of fruit.

Mar 27th, 2017
Bob Bryden

Founder The Lake Sommelier, LLC, Author Wine Talk

8.8

Tons of sweet baking spices and ripe fruit with a nice depth to the aroma and taste. Easy drinking, enjoyable wine with decent finish.

Tons of sweet baking spices and ripe fruit with a nice depth to the aroma and taste. Easy drinking, enjoyable wine with decent finish.

Oct 17th, 2016
Ryan M
8.8

Winemaker Notes:
Ripe fruit aromas of fresh berries, red plum and cherry are robust and lead to rich flavors of fresh berry pie, milk chocolate and notes of black tea on the palate. The wine is well structured with a juicy mouthfeel, smooth tannins and a lasting finish.

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.

Winemaker Notes:
Ripe fruit aromas of fresh berries, red plum and cherry are robust and lead to rich flavors of fresh berry pie, milk chocolate and notes of black tea on the palate. The wine is well structured with a juicy mouthfeel, smooth tannins and a lasting finish.

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.

Oct 21st, 2017
Gary Ferrese

Very good Merlot for the price. Taste of dark berries with a nice finish. Paired well Chillied pork tenderloin

Very good Merlot for the price. Taste of dark berries with a nice finish. Paired well Chillied pork tenderloin

Jun 23rd, 2016
Leslie Stewart

Leslie had this 7 years ago

Leslie had this 7 years ago

Mar 21st, 2018
Michael Kalmas

Michael had this 8 years ago

Michael had this 8 years ago

Jan 27th, 2017
Kasey Catt

Kasey had this 9 years ago

Kasey had this 9 years ago

Apr 12th, 2016
Cindy Wang

Cindy had this 9 years ago

Cindy had this 9 years ago

Apr 3rd, 2016
Krish Pandya

Krish had this 9 years ago

Krish had this 9 years ago

Mar 27th, 2016