1997 Chateau St. Jean Cinq Cépages

[RAD]

Was out in Napa and Sonoma for both business and pleasure this past weekend, and stopped by to see the good folks at CSJ.

Turns out that they released the 97 Cinq Cépages a couple of weeks ago (not to insult anyone's intelligence, but the 1996 was Wine Spectator's #1 wine of the year). I believe that the release price of the 96 was around $28; this year the 97 is $50. Limit of 2 per person at the winery. Tasted it, and man, is it DEE-licious. Guy behind the counter told me that WS gave it a 96 just 2 days ago, though this isn't on their website. (In fairness, WS typically releases the ratings in print before they go up on the site, but I don't know if the 96 is true or not).

Anyway, I was with my wife, so we picked up our 4-bottle limit and headed out the door. Had some lunch, went across the street to St. Francis, drove a piece to Matanzas Creek, then donned the dark glasses and fake mustaches and headed back to CSJ incognito to pick up another 4 on the sly.

RAD

[This message has been edited by RAD (edited 10-24-2000).]

[winoweenie]

Hit`s True Hit`s True , Radster. The 97 Cinq be 50 and a solid 96. Yhe lil` darlins aint puttin none in the chain tho until all are chompin` at the bit. Din`t know youse be goin` back to the valley so soon. If you `d like to try the Diamond, Grace Family, and maybe Araujo the next time call me. winoweenie

[RAD]

Good to know, and thanks, WW--with an offer like that, I'll be making my plans to head back soon. Gotta be some business to do out San Fran way. [img]http://www.wines.com/ubb2/biggrin.gif[/img]

Also visited Cain and really liked the 96 Cain 5, even if WS don't. Also picked up a bottle of the 97 Lokoya Diamond Mtn, which I'm told they source from Reverie, which is betwixt Von Strasser and the Brounstein's, I believe. Love those mountain cabs. But unfortunately the 97 Lokoya Mount Veeder is long gone.

Visited Imagery, an interesting and artsy effort by Benziger just down the hill from Arrowood, for the first time. Really liked their Malbec and Cab Francs, but I'm digressing and will post a TN or two when I open 'em.

RAD

[winoweenie]

Rad, what I really find disturbing about this is that the Cinq was originally made by Dick Arrowood to use up some of the juice that couldn`t make the cut for the regular Cabs and Merlots.Was kinda` like a 2nd label that could be merchandized in the under 20 buck range. Now the Spectators` rating has us standing in line to buy the same stuff at 50 potatoes per. I`m as guilty as anyone, but we need our heads examined. winoweenie Norman Kiken who owns the Reverie plot is really a nice fellow but hasn`t really got his act together yet. His 1st, the 94 was so bad he sold it under the rather annon name of " Day-Dream". How the heck could you make a bad wine in 94?

[This message has been edited by winoweenie (edited 10-25-2000).]