To open, or not to open...

[mrdutton]

I can not remember the specific Forum on this board, but there was a rather lengthy discussion on the 1996 Chateau St Jean Cinq Cepages.

The discussion revolved around price and the opinion that the wine was not worthy of the description given it by Wine Spectator.

You might find that thread interesting to read if you can find it.......

I have a 1995 Chateau St Jean Cinq Cepages which I will drink this year or next. I don't intend on keeping it much longer than that.

Wine Spectator gave the Caymus 90 points, whatever that means. Here are WS's tasting notes on the 1996 Caymus:

Attractive creamy, toasty oak up-front, with supple currant and black cherry folding in beneath. Though it remains complex on the finish, it comes up shy in depth and added dimensions compared with previous vintages. Tasted twice, with consistent notes. Grapes are from the sources normally used for the Special Selection, which was not made in '96.Drink now through 2007.

Amazing as it may seem, WS has not entered their tasting notes on the Cing Cepages into their online database.

In a nutshell this is what they had to say about it in December 1999:

1 / CHATEAU ST. JEAN
Cabernet Sauvignon Sonoma County Cinq Cépages 1996 / 95 / $28
CALIFORNIA
The rise of the 1996 Chateau St. Jean Cabernet Sauvignon Sonoma County Cinq Cépages to our Wine of the Year won't surprise those who've tasted this remarkably rich and polished wine as it has evolved. With its uncommon depth, ripe, juicy flavors and plush, velvety texture, Cing Cépages won votes and admiration from our editors for its quality (a 95-point rating on the Wine Spectator 100-point scale), its $28 price and its availability.


[This message has been edited by mrdutton (edited 05-03-2000).]