Winemaker Laurie Hook continues to make exceptional wines for this historic estate winery - the wines are elegant, with old world charm combined with new world fruit. Knight's Valley is more rustic than many nearby regions and has volcanic and alluvial soils, which Hook feels produces the unique characteristics she desires in this wine.
The Knight's Valley exemplifies this. Expect plush cassis and sweet spices, dark chocolate, graphite and mint, roasted coffee and savoury undertones of dried herbs and roasted bell peppers. It is a mouthfilling and lush wine laden with dark fruit, mocha and brown spices. It has wonderful acidity to balance, fantastic concentration and a lengthy spiced cocoa finish.

©copyright 2012 Daenna Van Mulligen
Wine Scores Reviewed - November 26th, 2012

Profound, delicious, superb.

You can expect exceptional wines for this historic estate winery - the wines are elegant but with boatloads of ripe fruit. Knights Valley is more rustic than many nearby regions and has volcanic and alluvial soils, which Beringer winemakers feel produce the unique characteristics desired in this wine; which the Knights Valley exemplifies.
Explosive cassis aromas mingle with plum cake, licorice, baking spices, purple flowers and plush chocolate. The palate echoes the nose; it is succulent and layered with generous purple fruit sarsaparilla, mocha and pipe tobacco flavours. Beautifully woven and profound with balance and a long slick finish.
©copyright 2023 Daenna Van Mulligen
Wine Scores Reviewed - January 9th, 2023

Profound, complete, superb.

Winemaker Laurie Hook continues to make exceptional wines for this historic estate winery - the wines are elegant, with old world charm combined with new world fruit. Knights Valley is more rustic than many nearby regions and has volcanic and alluvial soils, which Hook feels produces the unique characteristics she desires in this wine.
The Knights Valley exemplifies this.
It has profound black current and rooibos aromas melded with mint, earth and toasted spices. It has superb posture and flavours of purple berries layered with star anise and vanilla and raspberry tea. Bittersweet cocoa clings to a persistent palate.
©copyright 2018 Daenna Van Mulligen
Wine Scores Reviewed - August 30th, 2018

Stylish, consistent, delightful.
The Chateau St. Jean is always a delightful example of Sonoma Pinot Noir -- solid, fruit-driven and consistent. The core is typically earthy with spice, cocoa, wild botanical notes, tealeaf and carrot tops with attractive black raspberry and cherry fruits. Silky texture, expressive fruit with good balance - it's a ripe California style but boasts bright acidity.
Stylish.
©copyright 2016 Daenna Van Mulligen
Wine Scores Reviewed - October 10th, 2016

Fragrant, approachable, expressive.
Very fragrant aromas of sweet cherries, raspberry, vanilla, sarsaparilla, white pepper and perfume of violets. It has a silky palate, very expressive and plump fruit, sweet yet tangy, fresh and spicy with hints of tealeaf. Modern and approachable with good persistence.
©copyright 2015 Daenna Van Mulligen
Wine Scores Reviewed - July 13th, 2015