1995 Chateau St Jean Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve

The most noticeable improvements at St. Jean can be seen in the Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon program. There are approximately 1,000 cases produced of St. Jean's Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon. This wine spends 36 months in oak casks, of which 50% are new. The wine is primarily Cabernet Sauvignon, although small portions of Cabernet Franc and Merlot are part of the blend. The 1995 Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve exhibits less aromatic and flavor dimension than the 1994, but superb depth, ripeness, and richness. As with many 1995s, there is a muted character to the wine, but my instincts suggest that all the right stuff is present to develop into an outstanding wine. Patience is required as this wine will need at least 4-5 years of cellaring. It is a 20-year wine. No, I do not believe it will achieve the complexity and richness of the 1994, and perhaps not even the 1993, but it is an exceptional wine that could turn out to be a sleeper in 5-10 years. Tel. (707) 833-4134; Fax (707) 833-4200