Chateau St Jean 2022 Cinq Cepages

The 2022 Chateau St. Jean Cinq Cépages is a compelling expression of Sonoma County Cabernet Sauvignon, delivering the kind of depth, polish, and structural authority that has made this flagship bottling a benchmark for the estate. Chateau St. Jean has been crafting wines from Sonoma County for more than 50 years, with a longstanding commitment to balanced, elegant wines that reflect the character of exceptional vineyard sites. The 2022 vintage captures that philosophy beautifully, combining generosity and concentration with the precision necessary for serious cellaring.

The blend is unapologetically Bordeaux inspired, led by 73% Cabernet Sauvignon and supported by 11% Malbec, 9% Merlot, 4% Cabernet Franc, and 3% Petit Verdot. Fruit comes primarily from the Chateau St. Jean estate vineyard and Sebastiani Town Blocks, representing 75% of the blend, with additional depth from Alexander Valley and Chalk Hill. The growing season delivered long hang time and beautifully ripened fruit after a warm, dry summer, yielding a wine with remarkable richness and aromatic maturity. In the glass, the wine is immediately seductive, offering sultry aromas of dark plum and crème de cassis accented by a subtle floral note of lavender. The palate is plush yet firmly structured, revealing layers of dark fruit framed by beautifully integrated French oak and rich, velvety tannins. Twenty months in 70% new French oak adds depth and seasoning without overwhelming the powerful fruit. This is a full bodied Sonoma Cabernet with the concentration to satisfy now and the framework to evolve gracefully with time. Decanting is recommended in its youth, allowing the wine's bold character to fully unfold.

What makes the 2022 Cinq Cépages particularly attractive is its combination of immediate pleasure and genuine aging potential. It is already rewarding, yet its balance, fruit density, and tannic structure suggest considerable development ahead. Properly cellared, the estate expects a 10 to 15 year aging window, making this a smart choice for collectors seeking a Sonoma County Cabernet that can perform at the dinner table today while becoming more complex in the cellar. Pour it alongside grilled New York steak with demi glace or pork tenderloin with cherry compote and the wine's luxurious, deeply flavored personality becomes impossible to ignore.

Alcohol: 14.5%

99 POINTS - "The five Bordeaux grapes give this wine a true icon in California winemaking its name. From its inky black-carmine hue to its dusty, teeth-gripping nature, it's a muscle-bound athlete. A dynamic foundation of graphite and new leather wrapped in plum skin, espresso, and violets reveals its depth." - Tasting Panel

95 POINTS - "This long-running Bordeaux-style blend is a classic, reserve-style wine that’s dense, layered and polished, but also deep and long. Blended from some of Foley group’s best barrels using grapes from all around Sonoma County. Savory, floral and lavender aromas, with graphite, dark chocolate and creme de cassis flavors that expand on the palate and linger on the finish. 73% Cabernet Sauvignon, plus Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Malbec and Petit Verdot. Sustainable. Drinkable now, but best from 2029." - James Suckling

94 POINTS - "Purple/black-hued, the 2022 Cinq Cepages has a more complete feel and offers more purity as well as depth, with notes of lavender oils, blackberry liqueur, dark chocolate, polished leather, and sage. Full-bodied, it floats on the palate with velvety tannins, even freshness, and good length." - Jeb Dunnuck

94 POINTS - "Aromas of cherry, black plum and bitter cocoa powder flow from the glass on the nose of this blend. The palate is punchy and weighty, with loads of gripping tannin, spice and crushed berry flavors. Best from 2030-2040." - Wine Enthusiast

This wine opens with sultry aromas of dark plum and crème de cassis with a hint of lavender. The palate is plush and structured with layers of dark fruit, nicely integrated oak and rich, velvety tannins. We recommend decanting this wine, especially in its youth, to encourage these bold characters to open up and fully evolve. Pair with pork tenderloin and cherry compote, or grilled New York steak with a demi-glace for an ultra-decadent meal. Rewarding and ready for enjoyment now, the 2022 vintage is also well suited to age for 10-15 years in proper cellaring conditions