Richmond Wine Excursion

I have been delinquent in reviewing wines and hopefully this review will partially make up for that.  I also hope that this is the start of my getting back on track.  I've been tasting so many wines that I have quite a few to review.   

I had the opportunity to pour at the first annual Richmond Wine Excursion this past weekend (Friday, Oct. 28th and Saturday, October 29th).  This was open to on-premise and off-premise people in the trade and the public.  I'm sure the cold rainy weather kept a lot of people away, but the those that attended seemed to enjoy the tasting.  It gave me the chance to speak with so many wonderful  people.  I poured six wines from Chateau St. Jean, Sonoma, California.  All were very well received.  

Chateau St. Jean 2009 Fume Blanc ($16).  First let me say that this is one of my favorite wines.  When I need a change of pace from Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc, or when customers ask me for a wine recommendation and they are not interested in Chardonnay, this is what I turn to.    

A blend of 89% Sauvignon Blanc, 10% Semillion, and 1% Viognier, this is oak aged.  The aromas are a mild citrus and floral notes.  On your palate the flavors are citrus with a hint of apple.  Crisp and clean.  If you're looking for a nicely balanced wine that is easy to pair with food I highly recommend this.

Winemaker's Notes:  Vibrant aromas of fresh Asian pear, sweet citrus and jasmine blossom jump from the glass. The nose leads to a refreshing palate with distinct Fumé Blanc flavors of juicy fruit and floral notes. The addition of Semillion to the blend adds a sweet red apple flavor to this refreshing and crisp wine. The finish is long and clean with a lemon zest note.  

Chateau St. Jean 2008 Robert Young Vineyards Chardonnay ($28) is aged in French oak for 12 months.  This is a single vineyard Chardonnay (I do enjoy single vineyard wines). The aromas and flavor profile are true to the winemaker's notes.  I especially enjoyed the  honeysuckle and vanilla flavors with a hint of minerality.  There was a nice creaminess.  Nicely balanced.  Another wine easy to pair with food.   

Winemaker's Notes:  Fresh aromas of yellow stone fruit, lemon zest and hints of honeysuckle and vanilla introduce the nose of this single vineyard Chardonnay. A medium-bodied entry fills the mouth with notes of melon, clove and wet stone minerality and ends with a lasting lemon oil finish. The wine has a creamy texture with bright acidity, making this an excellent food wine.  

Chateau St. Jean 2009 Chardonnay ($16) is your classic Chardonnay.  Another nicely balanced wine.    

Winemaker's Notes:  Displays bright aromas of lemon cream, mango and notes of toasted hazelnut. This wine has a subtle elegance with a lingering finish.   

          In comparing the Robert Young Vineyard Chardonnay and the Sonoma Chardonnay, the latter has a little more oak on the palate.  Both very nice. 

Chateau St. Jean 2007 Merlot ($16) comes from various vineyards in Sonoma County - Sonoma Valley, Knights Valley, Alexander Valley, Carneros, Dry Creek, and Russian River Valley.  This has a marvelous cherry aroma.  The flavors of spice with a hint of chocolate were on my  palate.  Mild tannins. 

Winemaker's Notes:  Aromas of ripe blackberry fruit, black cherry, cola and sweet oak spice burst from the glass of this wine. The bright fruit characters carry over onto the palate and mingle with notes of cassis and chocolate, helped by a small amount of Malbec.  An elegant wine and a good value. 

Chateau St. Jean 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon ($16) is a classic Cabernet.  Mild tannins.  In all honesty, I was too busy enjoying the Cinq Cepages to pay much attention to this wine (or even the Merlot).  

Winemaker's Notes:  Bright aromas of blackberry, red currant, cassis and hints of cedar box are inviting on this Sonoma County Cabernet Sauvignon. The wine is concentrated and structured with a plush fruit core of dark berry fruit. The palate is round and full and with a lingering finish. 

Chateau St. Jean 2006 Cinq Cepages Cabernet Sauvignon ($67).  Cinq Cepage translates "Five Varieties".  This is a Bordeaux-style red blend of 83% Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Malbec, and Petit Verdot.  The aroma was blackberry and chocolate. The palate was  jammy with dark fruit, coffee, and earthiness.  Nicely balanced.  Lingering finish.  Mild tannins.  This wine was THE favorite at my table.  Many people had this wine before and were fans.  Highly recommend.  

Wine Enthusiast rated this 92 and Robert Parker a 90.  

Winemaker's Notes:  Cinq Cépages is the flagship wine of Chateau St. Jean. Each year, Winemaker Margo Van Staaveren selects fruit from the finest Bordeaux variety vineyards to craft a wine that showcases the best of Sonoma County. The primary grape sources for the 2006 vintage are Alexander Valley, Knights Valley and Sonoma Valley. The Alexander Valley grapes highlight bright berry with back notes of dried herbs, while the Sonoma Valley fruit is from our home vineyard – the St. Jean Estate Vineyard – and brings black and dense mountain fruit to the blend. The Knights Valley fruit adds boysenberry flavors and elegant tannins.   

This is a classic Cinq Cepages 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.