Winemaker Notes
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.
Professional Ratings
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Wine Enthusiast
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.
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.