Blue Rock Baby Blue 2019
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James
Suckling
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Baby Blue is always built for pleasure right out of the gate and this beautifully aromatic rendition is no exception. Loads of rich red and black fruits, plus a delightful hint of blueberry, all get the party started. This is followed up by a nice compliment of baking spices, vanilla, a kiss of gentle herbs, and just the right amount of beautiful French oak and earthy goodness to round things out on the finish. Wonderful length and supple tannins make for easy enjoyment of this joyous red.
Perhaps the most versatile of Blue Rock's wines, you can pair this Baby Blue with just about any meal you care to match with a nice red. Of course grilled meats always come to mind, but poultry in rich sauces or exotic global cuisine such as Indian, Thai or Vietnamese will work equally well.
Blend: 44% Cabernet Sauvignon, 32% Merlot, 10% Syrah, 9% Petit Verdot, 4% Malbec, 1% Cabernet Franc
Professional Ratings
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Wine Enthusiast
This blends together a majority of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot with smaller additions of Syrah, Petit Verdot, Malbec and Cabernet Franc. Juicy blue fruit adorns a soft, well-integrated core of tannin and oak, rich yet balanced in style and big on value.
Editors' Choice -
James Suckling
Aromas of red and black currants, whole cloves and dried roses. Full-bodied with silky tannins. Notes of vanilla and cedar are lifted up by bright acidity. 44% cabernet sauvignon, 32% merlot, 10% syrah, 9% petit verdot, 4% malbec and 1% cabernet franc.
Other Vintages
2020-
James
Suckling
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Tasting
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James
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Blue Rock is a historic, private destination in the heart of the Sonoma/Napa wine country. The winery, vineyard, and gardens were established in the 1880s by Italian immigrants. Originally named Villa Maria, the winery did not survive Prohibition. Other families attempted to farm the property, but it fell into foreclosure in the late 1980s.
Kenny and Cheryl Kahn came upon the rundown estate in 1987 and promptly fell in love with the beauty of the hillside location and the bucolic Alexander Valley. The estate suffered from years of neglect, and the derelict vineyard needed replanting. Kenny and Cheryl have spent 32 years renovating the original winery and estate cottage, as well as establishing winemaking and production facilities. The Winery, guesthouse, and gardens have now been upgraded to a true \ luxury standard and with the singular vision of creating a world-class wine estate in the European tradition.
Blue Rock is family-owned, family-farmed and certified sustainable. The name originates from the soil studded with blue pebbles, rocks, and boulders of serpentine. The serpentine rock contributes to the unique flavor and aromatic profile of the wines deriving from the vineyard. Comprised of 40 acres, the certified sustainable vineyard is planted to the five Bordeaux varietals: Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot, Merlot, Malbec, and Syrah. Vineyard work and harvest are done by hand, with attention to detail and process. Our workers are full-time and enjoy a year-round relationship with the vines which makes for better quality.
One of the world’s most classic and popular styles of red wine, Bordeaux-inspired blends have spread from their homeland in France to nearly every corner of the New World. Typically based on either Cabernet Sauvignon or Merlot and supported by Cabernet Franc, Malbec and Petit Verdot, the best of these are densely hued, fragrant, full of fruit and boast a structure that begs for cellar time. Somm Secret—Blends from Bordeaux are generally earthier compared to those from the New World, which tend to be fruit-dominant.
Nearly a northern extension of Napa Valley, Alexander Valley starts just north of the small, Knights Valley, and is just a few minutes drive from the Napa town of Calistoga. It is Sonoma County’s hottest AVA. But the Russian River, which runs through the valley, creates cooler pockets and its soft, alluvial soil is ideal for grape growing, especially Cabernet Sauvignon. In fact, some believe that Alexander Valley Cabernets truly rival the best from Napa Valley and many of the heavy-hitter producers have largely invested here.
In addition to Cabernet Sauvignon, which makes up over 50% of plantings, Merlot and old vine Zinfandel thrive here. Ample, fleshy Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc dominate white wine production. Some old-vine plantings of Grenache have also been discovered and more recent experiments with Sangiovese and Barbera show great promise.