Chateau St. Jean Cinq Cepage Vertical Combo Pack 2001, 2002, 2003 and 3 of the 2006

2001- Deep inky purple hue. Heady nose of plum, boysenberry, mint and baker's chocolate. Tart and tangy on entry with a huge, red fruit profile that accompanies dusty mocha and oak-laced tannins. Opulent close offers coconut and dark chocolate with perfectly balanced acidity.

2002- The 2002 Cinq Cepages is impressive. It boasts a deep ruby/purple hue as well as aromas of cedar, black currants, sweet cherries, licorice, and smoky oak. Medium to full-bodied, authoritatively flavored, elegant and impressively long with a velvety texture, it is already delicious and evolved but should drink well for at least another 12-14 years.

2003-  A classic Cinq Cépages, the 2003 vintage offers the signature chocolate-covered cherry and boysenberry aromas that have come to define this flagship Sonoma County Cabernet Sauvignon. Lush, elegant and gracefully balanced, the wine delivers sweet plum and dark berry flavors and an exotic floral note that wraps around big, juicy tannins. This highly concentrated wine has beautiful oak integration and a lushness throughout that leads to a lingering finish.

2006- This is Chateau St. Jean's flagship wine, a blend of Bordeaux varieties that changs a bit vintage to vintage. The 2006 bottling is Merlot-dominated (83%), with smaller proportions of Cabernet Franc (5%), Malbec (4%) and Petit Verdot (1%). All of the varietals are aged separately in 91% small French oak and 9% American oak, then assembled and aged for another six months in bottle before release. Blackberry jam aromas let you know right away that this is the Cinq Cepages, followed by hints of rich milk chocolate, rasberry and violet scents. On the palate, the fruit is dark and dense, layered with tea, espresso and cocoa flavors and framed by sweet oak spice.