My friend and I were attending an event in Carmel Valley and decided to go early to check out a winery. We parked near our event and saw the Blue Fox tasting room. I had been wanting to go there for quite some time, so we dropped in.
Dallas Wright greeted us in the spacious and attractive tasting room. He was very friendly and walked my friend and me through the wines. Perfect.
The tasting room is quite large, a great event venue. We posed doing an event there for the Monterey Chapter of the American Wine Society and have subsequently booked a group tasting there!
About Blue Fox Cellars from their label: “As a small producer based in Medocino County, California, we are dedicated to producing high quality wines tailored to the discerning consumer. Working closely with experienced growers to source only the highest quality of hand selected lots allows us to offer wines of refined distinction. We combine time-tested Old World styles of winemaking with modern technology which are rewarded in an impeccably balanced wine with varietally correct profiles resulting in elegance to be appreciated at any occasion.”
While their website contains little information about the winery or its owners, I found this wonderful article by Laura Ness, a “longtime wine journalist, columnist and judge” in Edible Monterey Bay: https://www.ediblemontereybay.com/blog/blue-fox-cellars-opens-in-carmel-valley-village/. Here is some information from that article:
“…Winemaker/owner, Edward Lovaas, whose heritage is Norwegian, named the brand, which he started in 2012 after many years of winemaking consulting, figured he couldn’t put red wine in a green bottle. Especially since the label sports a perky blue watercolor rendition of a slightly bemused blue fox. So, blue bottles you will find at the newly opened tasting room in Carmel Valley Village, in the former location of Talbott…” All their wines are aged in French oak.
Today I am presenting 6 Blue Fox Cellars wines from Mendocino. As usual, winery notes come from the tasting sheet, the winery website, or discussions with tasting room staff. Any errors are mine and mine alone.
2017 Blue Fox Cellars Chenin Blanc, Mendocino County, 13.5% ABV, $25 (#931)
Winery Notes: “Crisp mineral acidity frame notes of lemon verbena, nectarine, and Asian pear.” No malolactic fermentation, neutral oak, champagne, yeast, two years on lees.
My Review: Straw in the glass, peach and white citrus blossom, honeysuckle, and lychee on the nose. The palate is full bodied with peach, citrus and yeasty notes. February 2023
2021 Blue Fox Cellars Vermentino, Mendocino County, 13.3% ABV, $29 (#932)
Winery Notes: “Flavors of Shin Li pear, white peach, and crushed stone with a rich mouthfeel.” This wine underwent a quick fermentation.
My review: Pale in the glass. Sweet grapefruit on the nose. A tart citrus palate with a lime finish. A bit acidic and not quite balanced. February 2023.
2019 Blue Fox Cellars Rosé of Grenache, Mendocino County, 13.5% ABV, $25 (#933)
Winery Notes: “Robust with exceptional mouthfeel. Peach and strawberry prevail.” A traditional, dry Provençal rosé with earth, oak, and complex flavors.
My Review: Pale salmon in the glass. Sweet nose with strawberry and cantaloupe notes. Balanced, flavorful palate of watermelon, strawberry, and a little licorice with a lime twist on the finish. February 2023.
2012 Blue Fox Cellars Grenache, Mendocino County, 13.3% ABV, $45 (#934)
Winery Notes: “Fruit forward notes of wild strawberry and blueberry with a finish of white pepper.” 3 years in the barrel 30% neutral oak 20%, new 80% old so figure it out what that means.
My Review: Delicious palate of red fruits. Sweetness of strawberry and raspberry on the tongue, balanced by the oak. Yummy. February 2023.
2014 Blue Fox Cellars Syrah, Mendocino County, 15.2% ABV, $47 (#935)
Winery Notes: “Flavors of plum, ripe raspberry, earth, spice and an elegant tannin structure.” 7 years in barrels sur lees.
My Review: Dark ruby in color. A spicy nose, predominantly, nutmeg, mouth, filling, rich, dark fruits. A big, well-aged wine, with dark cooked fruit, bordering on a port. I took one of these home. February 2023.
2014 Blue Fox Zinfandel, Mendocino County, 15.9% ABV, $49 (#936)
Winery Notes: “Fruity deep red berries finishing with spicy pepper and a soft tannin structure.” 30° temperature swing. 7 years in the barrel.
My Review: Translucent dark ruby. Sweet spice, black pepper, and dark fruit with vanilla – a smooth palate. A touch of rosemary on the finish. February 2023.
The Blue Fox Tasting Room is located at 25 Pilot Road, Carmel Valley: “Experience the hospitality of Blue Fox Cellars in beautiful Carmel Valley. Enjoy sweeping views of the mountains above from our outdoor tasting patio during a fun and educational tasting experience. Your tasting will be conducted by our knowledgeable tasting associates or our winemaker. Or sit and have lunch and a bottle of wine in our expansive courtyard, enjoy a game of Bocce Ball, or just time with friends and family. We look forward to seeing you!” Open Sunday-Thursday 12pm-5pm; Friday-Saturday 12pm-6pm. You can also buy their wines on their website!
© Decanting Monterey 2023
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