2010 Chateau St. Jean Fumé Blanc

Community Tasting Notes (13) Avg Score: 86.0 points

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  9/2/2018 - Glenn Gilbert Likes this wine: 85 Points

  I reviewed this wine on 12/15/2015; this is a second, independent evaluation of the same wine & vintage now almost three years later; Margo van Staaveren, winemaker; 13.6% alcohol, appears to be real cork, heavy-weight foil; label says the Fumé Blanc (Sauvignon Blanc) is blended with Sémillon (acute accent omitted on the label) but no percentage is given; medium legs, shiny yellow; nose of alcohol, pithy fruit, apples, apple peels; tasted at near room temperature (77 F) -- earth, minerals, sour cherries; medium finish with hint of not so pleasant tannins, not bitter but not the kind of finish one hopes for in a Fumé Blanc (Mondavi's renaming of Sauvignon Blanc); interesting balance between fruit & sour; definitely not sweet, would suggest pairing with hard cheese

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  12/15/2015 - Glenn Gilbert Likes this wine: 88 Points

  My bottle was a 2010 vintage but I expect more recent vintages will show many of the same qualities. Some fruit in the nose, but not so much in the taste; has a terrific finish. Nice balance, no bitterness. Good balance of tannin, sweet, sour. Tastes terrific in our hot Florida summer. Well worth its modest price.

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  6/17/2015 - Mike Kopanski wrote: 88 Points

  Not normally a fan of Fume Blanc, this one has always been a pretty close to my heart. Chateau Saint Jean was the third place I ever tasted, in wine country, and they offered this as one of their three tastes of white wine. It was unique and tasty then, and still is now. I believe the bottle age this 2010 received in storage somewhere has really enhanced the flavors. Very dark for a Sauvignon Blanc. There is a commendable richness from some barrel aging and malo lactic. The nose has ginger ale, mature wine barrel, tree sap and citrus. Still very crisp, the lemon, lime and other citrus dominate the lighter melon and peach flavors. Gains flavor momentum as it slides down the palate, and also as we drink down the glass. Some taste of barrel with acid and fruit on the finish.

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  6/1/2013 - JPL Likes this wine: 83 Points

  a little harsh and bitter.

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  3/12/2013 - Baron Slick wrote: 85 Points

  Light straw; very ripe and floral with Asian and spiced pears, stonefruit, and lemon flavors.

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