An Evening With Rodney Strong Vineyards

*Samples Received*

Tonight's wines were those from Rodney Strong Vineyards. I enjoy tasting these varietals because of their quality, ease to drink and affordability. Each vintage is an expression of the vineyard and showcases the talented winemakers ability to bring that aspect to each glass.

The 2012 Sonoma County Chardonnay was the first wine tasted. On the nose pear, apple, lemon citrus and ripe pineapple. Hints of all spice, toasted vanilla and almonds round out the nose. The fruit really shines on the nose and sets the taste up nicely. The mouth is full of juicy ripe pear, delicious green apple with hints of fresh lemon and pineapple. Faint hint of spice on the long juicy finish. Love the fruit forward character of this wine. My wife and I enjoyed while sipping on the screen porch and we both equally were impressed with this chardonnay.

The 2011 Cabernet Sauvignon Sonoma County was my next wine of the evening. Coincidentally my friend and his spouse are huge fans of RS Vineyards Cabernet and call it their go to wine. The nose is full of dark fruit with blackberry, black cherry and plum. Hints of chocolate, dried herbs of thyme and rosemary along with a nice touch of currants and oak. The mouth is rich with blackberry, cherry, raspberry and plum. Creamy vanilla with a nice spicy toasty oak finish. Sipping while grilling a nice thick Ribeye, the wine was a great pairing for the evenings meal. I think this wine would be equally nice with a hearty stew dish.

The final wine of the evening was the 2011 Merlot from Sonoma County. A varietal making a comeback in some regions this wine exhibits wild blueberry and plum notes. Earthy with dried herbs and a sweet vanilla aroma that is wonderfully pleasing to my senses. The mouth starts with the bold plum and softens with the rich blueberry finishing with vanilla and toasty oak. What really impressed me and I don't find on many bottles of Merlot was the creaminess of the finish with the soft tannins. Very nice wine.

Tasting these wines you can easily see why they were named in 2013 by Wine Enthusiast "American Winery Of The Year." From Tom Klein to Rick Sayre and the entire wine production team to Robert Larsen, Rachel Voorhees and the entire operations staff it's easy to see why they are so successful year after year. The quality is a result of meticulous vineyard management and understanding the grapes these vineyards produce. Food friendly quality wines that can be enjoyed everyday without breaking the pocket book. Stop by for a visit at 11455 Old Redwood Highway Healdsburg, Ca 10am to 5pm daily. Tell them Dan sent you!


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*Samples Received*

Cheers
Dan