Chateau St. Jean Cinq Cepages Sonoma County Red Wine 2017 750ml

Chateau St. Jean was founded in 1973 in Kenwood, in the Sonoma Valley, and is now a member of Foley Family Wines. Cinq Cépages is the winery's flagship.

The name means five grapes: the 2017 is 83% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Merlot, 3% Cabernet Franc, 3% Malbec and 1% Petit Verdot. Nearly half the fruit, 46%, is from Knights Valley, with Cabernet from Monte Rosso and Moon Mountain and Merlot from Dry Creek's Louvau Vineyard. Winemaker Margo Van Staaveren aged it 20 months in French oak, 68% new. It's 15.1% alcohol.

The winery describes raspberry, red and black currant and lavender, then supple fruit, milk chocolate, toasted chestnut and fall spice, with smooth tannins and a silky finish. Vinous calls it "dense and full-throttle."

Against Inglenook Rubicon 2017, Cinq Cépages is a multi-district Sonoma blend at half the price; for a flagship Cabernet blend under $100, choose Cinq Cépages.

The winery says it's ready to drink now and will improve with proper cellaring. Serve it with grilled ribeye.

Browse more Sonoma County wine and our red blends. Pick it up at our Brooklyn store or get same-day delivery in Brooklyn, Manhattan & Queens.