Winemaker Notes
The 2021 Baby Blue Red begins with polished aromas of blackberry, dark currant, pencil shavings, hints of peppercorn, tilled earth, cedar and vanilla bean that sing of an absolutely brilliant young wine. Not to be outdone, rich flavors of both black and red fruits, savory spices, hints of black tea and espresso, and just the right touch of toasty oak in the background suggest this beauty will enjoy a long and celebrated evolution.
The most versatile of their estate wines, you can pair Baby Blue with just about any meal designed for a Bordeaux-inspired red. Grilled beef, lamb or pork are easy suggestions, but duck or chicken will do just as well. Hard cheeses, nuts and dried fruits will also go nicely if you are just snacking and sipping. But honestly, sometimes you just want a burger and this wine plays that game too. So listen to your desire and follow it wherever it takes you.
Blend: 85% Cabernet Sauvignon, 7% Merlot, 3% Petit Verdot, 3% Syrah, 1% Cabernet Franc, 1% Malbec
Professional Ratings
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Wine Enthusiast
This decadent blend of Bordeaux varieties displays punchy aromas of spiced cherry, blackberry and mint on the nose, while the palate brings layers of blackberry, currant and dark chocolate flavors in a rich framework of barrel spice that will soften nicely in the cellar.
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James Suckling
This cabernet sauvignon-predominant red blend tastes rich, broad and full, with ample red and black fruit and dark chocolate to please the palate. Moderate tannins, ripe blueberries and dark cherries.
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.