google-site-verification=YKXyQp_nCoQMrC4YAn_mAJVaziaVp1Yv0mDJv7GSG5k Chateau St Jean History | happylivingwines
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Chateau St. Jean has brought together the finest vineyards, the best equipment and a highly-talented team, creating wines which received immediate critical acclaim, living out the company’s creed of providing "Only the finest". With such dedication and hard work to provide only the best, Chateau St. Jean has received numerous accolades over the years. In 1999, Chateau St. Jean was the first Sonoma winery to be awarded the prestigious "Wine of the Year" award from the Wine Spectator Magazine for its 1996 Cinq Cépages Cabernet Sauvignon, a Bordeaux-style blend of "five varieties." And in 2008, Margo Van Staaveren was named “Winemaker of the year” By Wine Enthusiast Magazine.

 

The winery was designed from the ground up to accommodate numerous lots of grapes and keep them separate throughout the winemaking process. Since fine wines and individual vineyards have been closely associated for centuries in Europe, the Chateau's founders seasoned vineyard designation was equally valid in Sonoma County. In addition, the Chateau St. Jean vineyards observe farming practices which aid in the protection, preservation, sustainability of the environment, and have been duly certified by various agencies in California.

Today, winemaker Margo Van Staaveren, with over 30 years of vineyard and winemaking expertise, highlights and expresses the best of each of the stunning vineyards through the fine Chateau St. Jean wines.

The Finest Vineyards

Brand's Heritage

Nestled in the heart of the stunning Sonoma Valley, the Chateau St. Jean estate offers wine lovers a heavenly getaway where they can enjoy and bask in the Sonoma wine lifestyle. With incredible vineyard views, a dramatic mountain backdrop, lush gardens and the elegant 1920s chateau, guests are invited to experience the award-winning Chateau St. Jean wine collection at their leisure, while enjoying the breathtaking ambience of the estate.

Established in 1973, Chateau St. Jean was conceived as a true fine wine estate in the European style, where wines from individual vineyards were kept separate to fully capture individual character of each site. The wines received immediate critical acclaim, and Chateau St. Jean was soon recognized as a leader in single vineyard designated wines. With its gracious style, elegant architecture and inviting gardens and tasting rooms, is the quintessential Sonoma winery. 

Chateau St. Jean Chardonnay 2013 Sonoma Coast

The Chateau St. Jean Sonoma Coast Chardonnay offers inviting aromas of Meyer lemon, fresh kiwi and subtle spice lead to a delicate yet flavorful palate. Flavors of white peach, lemon-lime citrus and green tea notes meet a decided core of bright acidity. The wine resembles a Chablis style, firm structure with beautiful fruit expression and a lingering finish.

VINTAGE                 

WINE TYPE               

VARIETAL                

WINE STYLE           

ALCOHOL/VOL.      

SUGAR CONTENT. 

SWEETNESS.  

REGION                  

WINEMAKER           

2013

White

Chardonnay

Full-bodied and Rich

14.2%

2 g/L

Extra Dry- No sweetness; Clean, crisp and acidic finish

Sonoma, California

Margo Van Staaveren

Chateau St. Jean Fume Blanc 2012 Sonoma County

The Chateau St. Jean Sonoma County Fumé Blanc is extremely inviting with vivid aromas of peach, nectarine, fresh fig and a soft floral citrus note. The nose leads to luscious palate with flavors of red sweet apple, lemon citrus and a touch of honey. There is a core of vibrant lemon-lime acidity on the finish which makes the wine bright and very food friendly.

VINTAGE                 

WINE TYPE               

VARIETAL                

WINE STYLE           

ALCOHOL/VOL.      

REGION                  

WINEMAKER           

2012

White

Sauvignon Blanc

Light and Crisp

13.6%

Sonoma, California

Margo Van Staaveren

Chateau St. Jean Pinot Noir 2014 California

Crafted with the idea of an everyday drinking wine that is rich in flavor and highly accessible, this wine showcases California Pinot Noir with a classic Chateau St. Jean signature—generous fruit intensity.

 

This is a classic Pinot Noir with bright aromas of cherry, ripe strawberry, and subtle baking spice. The inviting aromas lead to a smooth mouthfeel with flavors of juicy ripe fruit, vanilla and spice notes. The wine is flavorful with a long pleasing finish.

VINTAGE                 

WINE TYPE               

VARIETAL                

WINE STYLE           

ALCOHOL/VOL.

SWEETNESS   

REGION                  

WINEMAKER           

2014

Red

Pinot Noir

Medium-bodied and fruity

13.8%

Dry

California, USA

Margo Van Staaveren

VINTAGE                 

WINE TYPE               

VARIETAL                

WINE STYLE           

ALCOHOL/VOL.  

SWEETNESS   

REGION                  

WINEMAKER           

2015

White

Sauvignon Blanc

Green and Flinty

13.6%

Dry

Sonoma, California

Margo Van Staaveren

The Sonoma County Sauvignon Blanc offers a vivid bouquet of bright lemon citrus, fresh nectarine, orange blossom and floral notes on the nose. The inviting aromas lead to juicy flavors of lemon, crisp apple and honeysuckle on the palate. The wine has a core of vibrant acidity which gives a long, pleasing finish.

Chateau St. Jean Sauvignon Blanc 2015 Sonoma County
Chateau St. Jean Merlot 2011 Sonoma County

The Sonoma County Merlot offers bright notes of red cherry and fresh raspberry fruit as well as a dark spice component on the nose. The aromas lead to a juicy palate with core red fruit flavors and warm mocha coffee notes. The wine is well structured with polished tannins and a lingering finish.

VINTAGE                 

WINE TYPE               

VARIETAL                

WINE STYLE           

ALCOHOL/VOL.      

REGION                  

WINEMAKER           

2012

Red

Merlot

Smooth and Supple

14.6%

Sonoma, California

Margo Van Staaveren

Awards
California State Fair 2014 : Bronze

Chateau St. Jean Cinq Cepages 2011 Sonoma County

The 2011 Cinq Cépages offers layered aromas of blackberry, black cherry, and star anise spice. Intriguing, nuanced notes of violet and graphite add depth to the nose. The aromas lead to a plush palate with flavors of blueberry, fresh Santa Rosa plum and blackberry. Additional flavors of cocoa powder and brown spice add to the complexity. The full-bodied wine has fine grained tannins that offer solid structure but do not overwhelm. The wine, slow to evolve in the glass, shows density and elegance. In signature Cinq Cépages form, this wine combines the strength of the diverse Sonoma County region to create a well-balanced, complex and powerful wine.

Blend of 52% Cabernet Sauvignon, 39% Merlot

4% Cabernet Franc, 3% Petit Verdot and 2% Malbec

Accolades


California State Fair 2014 : BronzeThe Cellar Tracker – 90.2 points

VINTAGE                 

WINE TYPE               

VARIETAL                

WINE STYLE           

ALCOHOL/VOL.      

REGION                  

WINEMAKER           

2011

Red

Cabernet Sauvignon Blend

Big and Bold

14.4%

Sonoma, California

Margo Van Staaveren

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