1996 Chateau St. Jean Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve Sonoma County
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Tasting notes
The 1996 Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve, which was reviewed in issue #127, remains one of the finest wines yet produced by Steve Reeder. The following note is from that issue. This Cabernet, which spent 36 months in barrel prior to bottling, is primarily Cabernet Sauvignon, with a dollop of Merlot or Cabernet Franc added. Production is limited to 500 cases. The terrific 1996 boasts a saturated purple color, as well as a stunning bouquet of coconut, vanillin, black currants, plums, and smoke. Full-bodied, thick, yet nicely buttressed by adequate acidity, this juicy, thrillingly proportioned, large-scaled Cabernet Sauvignon will be at its finest after another year of bottle age; it will keep for two decades. Tel. (707) 833-4134; Fax (707) 833-4200
Critic scores
Average Score
Robert Parker
Stephen Tanzer, Vinous
More reviews and scores
Saturated medium ruby. Plum, cherry, currant, lead pencil and tar on the nose. Dense, sappy flavors of cassis and spice cake; the fruit and spice notes manage to be simultaneously liqueur- and claret-like. Offers lovely palate presence and impressive concentration. Finishes with dusty, even tannins. Technically features more than 100% new oak: when the selection was made after two years of aging, a portion of this wine was racked into another set of new barrels.