Blue Rock Cabernet Sauvignon 2016
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2016 was a stunning vintage offering Blue Rock the opportunity to harvest each block at optimal ripeness and flavor to produce a wine of beautiful color, aroma, structure and intensity. A deep red-hued purple in the glass, the nose offers an intriguing interplay between dark red and black fruits and the savory, spicy, sweet tobacco side of Cabernet. The palate is mouthcoating, rich and full, celebrating the bold fruit California is so famous for, all while showcasing the wonderful balance and refinement that are the hallmarks of Blue Rock Estate. This is truly a vintage for the ages!
Perfect for pairing with filets, short ribs, shanks - all red meats, be they grilled, braised or stewed. Red wine reduction sauces with rosemary, bay, dried currants or savory, earthy mushrooms are always a welcome addition. Plus rich cheeses such as gorgonzola, sharp cheddar and most aged hard cheeses, either on their own or to top off the meal.
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Herbal in clove, sage and peppercorn, this wine possesses Old World charm and classic, high-toned structure around well-integrated oak and tannin. With 15% Merlot and 7% Petit Verdot, it remains soft and supple on the palate, with dense red fruit, baking spice and just a hint of oak.
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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.
A noble variety bestowed with both power and concentration, Cabernet Sauvignon enjoys success all over the globe, its best examples showing potential to age beautifully for decades. Cabernet Sauvignon flourishes in Bordeaux's Medoc where it is often blended with Merlot and smaller amounts of some combination of Cabernet Franc, Malbecand Petit Verdot. In the Napa Valley, ‘Cab’ is responsible for some of the world’s most prestigious, age-worthy and sought-after “cult” wines. Somm Secret—DNA profiling in 1997 revealed that Cabernet Sauvignon was born from a spontaneous crossing of Cabernet Franc and Sauvignon Blanc in 17th century southwest France.
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.