Chateau St. Jean
Established in 1973, Chateau St. Jean is located in the heart of Sonoma Valley. The chateau itself was built in 1920 as a summer home for the Goff family and has since been listed in the National Trust for Historic Preservation. Chateau St. Jean sources its grapes from vineyards in the Alexander Valley, Sonoma Coast, Russian River Valley and Sonoma Valley. Most of the top Chateau St. Jean wines are produced predominantly from Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Merlot and Pinot Noir; however, the winery also utilizes Cabernet Franc, Gewürztraminer, Malbec and Syrah. Some of Chateau St. Jean’s highly rated wines include the estate’s Reserve line and the Cinq Cépages red blend, a Cabernet Sauvignon-dominant wine, with Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Petit Verdot and Malbec. For more information on Chateau St. Jean and its selection of wines, be sure to check out our Chateau St. Jean wine ratings.
Chateau St. Jean 2001 Estate Vineyard Cabernet Franc (Sonoma Valley)
- $50
As good as this wine is, in my opinion Cabernet Franc by itself cannot make a great wine. It’s certainly delicious, with cherry, currant, pecan pie and vanilla flavors, and the tannins are soft, sweet and complex. But it lacks the depth that a darker varietal, like Cabernet, brings to the table.
— S.H.
(3/1/2005)
Chateau St. Jean 2000 Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon (Sonoma County)
- $90
At this price, you have a right to demand ageability. Will it or won’t it? The wine is extracted in blackberry and currant fruit. It’s very dry, and the tannins are thick. It’s very good, but I do not think it has the stuffing for the long haul. Best now–2010.
— S.H.
(10/1/2005)
Chateau St. Jean 2002 St. Jean Estate Merlot (Sonoma Valley)
- $50
If this wine were any riper it would be over the top. It’s a big, effusive Merlot, bursting with cherry jam and mocha flavors that are wrapped in velvety tannins. It’s too soft for aging, but is delicious now.
— S.H.
(4/1/2006)
Chateau St. Jean 2005 Robert Young Vineyard Chardonnay (Alexander Valley)
- $25
The oak and lees really stand out here, giving smoky, yeasty notes to the pineapple, pear and citron flavors. This stylishly dry Chard is elegant and spicy on the finish.
— S.H.
(5/1/2008)
Chateau St. Jean 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon (Sonoma County)
- $27
A supple, polished Cabernet that shows real style and class at a price consistent with its quality. Soft and dry, it has rich flavors of blackberries, chocolate, green olives, herbs and cedar. Now through 2010 for freshness.
— S.H.
(8/1/2009)
Chateau St. Jean 2007 Fumé Blanc (Sonoma County)
- Best Buy
- $13
Chateau St. Jean has a long history with Sauvignon Blanc, and this affordable wine shows their mastery of the variety. It’s dry and crisply balanced, with delicious flavors of lemons, limes, pineapples and honeysuckle that are brightened with crisp acidity. A touch of Viognier, oak and lees adds complexities that make this a great bargain.
— S.H.
(11/15/2008)
Chateau St. Jean 2000 Durell Vineyard Pinot Noir (Carneros)
- $38
Sweet and rich aromas of black cherry, soy, molasses and smoke signal a full-bodied wine. The mouthfeel is layered and complex; red fruit is followed by herbs, berries then oak. The finish is very dark, featuring coffee, bitter chocolate and pepper. Sturdy tannins make it solid as a rock.
— W.E.
(10/1/2002)
Chateau St. Jean 2002 Pinot Noir (Sonoma County)
- $19
A textbook Pinot that tastes like it has plenty of Russian River Valley grapes inside. Light and silky in texture, but with rich, complex varietal flavors of cherries, cola, rhubarb, vanilla and mocha.
— S.H.
(11/1/2004)
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