DOES CALIFORNIA CHARDONNAY AGE?
CHATEAU ST. JEAN 15 YEAR VERTICAL GIVES CLUE THE WINERY Located in Kenwood, California, Chateau St. Jean was founded in 1973 by Robert and Edward Merzoian and Kenneth Sheffield, and named after Jean Sheffield Merzoian. Its first employee and winemaker was Richard Arrowood who would go on to bring critical acclaim to the winery through the production of late harvest Johannisberg Riesling. In 1984, Suntory International purchased the winery and sold it in 1996 to Beringer Wine Estates. In 1990 Don Van Staaveren was named winemaker. In 1997, Steve Reeder became the winemaker. Recently, Fosters Brewing Group of Australia acquired Beringer including Chateau St. Jean. THE WINE The Robert Young Vineyard designated Chardonnay was first produced in 1975 from grapes grown on a 100-acre parcel in Sonoma County. Each of the thirteen blocks of chardonnay is picked and barrel fermented separately in 50% new French oak and 50% one-to-two year old oak. The wine does NOT undergo malolactic fermentation
