Deep ruby color; black cherry, blackcurrant, blackberry, raspberry, plum, violets, mocha, vanilla, baking spice on the nose and palate.
Dry; ripe, moderate tannins; good balancing acidity (3.66 pH; 5.9 g/L TA). Medium-plus body. Grapes from selected quality Sonoma County vineyards—Alexander Valley, Knight’s Valley. A dry vintage reduced yields and concentrated flavors. Pre-sorted clusters saw extended maceration for color and complexity. Fermented in stainless steel; aged 24 months in French oak, 75% new. 14.5% ABV
The Rodney Strong story began in 1904 with the planting of the River West Vineyard, just south of Healdsburg, where the Rodney Strong winery is located. Winery founder Rodney D. Strong was born in 1927 in Camas, Washington. In addition to being a three-sport athlete, musician, and senior-class president, “Rod” was a dance prodigy. He served in the Navy in World War II, then studied at the American School of Ballet under legends George Balanchine and Martha Graham. He danced on Broadway, then produced shows at The Lido in Paris, where he fell in love with fine wine.
In 1959, Rod retired from dancing, married his dance partner, Charlotte Ann Winson, and began a new career in wine. “I knew I couldn’t be an old dancer,” he quipped, “but I could be an old winemaker.” After consulting with UC-Davis scientists, Rod and Charlotte settled in Sonoma. In 1962, he purchased a vineyard planted in “mixed grapes,” which he replanted mostly in chardonnay, the first chardonnay in what would become the celebrated Chalk Hill AVA. In 1968, he bought land and planted some of the first pinot noir in the Russian River Valley.
Rod handed off winemaker responsibilities to Rick Sayre in 1979. At the same time, Tom Klein completed his Stanford MBA and began working for an international management consulting firm hired to evaluate the potential of Rodney Strong Vineyards. Klein met Rodney Strong and Rick Sayre. Ten years later, in 1989, the Klein family purchased Rodney Strong Vineyards and began an ambitious program of expanding and modernizing. In 2003, that included installing the largest solar array of any winery in the world.
Strong died in 2006 at age 78. In 2009, Rodney Strong celebrated its 50th anniversary, Rick Sayre’s 30th year as its winemaker, and the Klein family’s 20th year of ownership. In 2014, Wine Enthusiast named Rodney Strong American Winery of the Year. In 2019, Rick Sayre became the winemaker emeritus and Justin Seidenfeld became director of winemaking with Olivia Wright as assistant. Wright produced this wine.
Rodney Strong Vineyards Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon, Sonoma County 2020 is smooth easy drinker. Strong’s premier offering delivers wine that is accessible now (at six years) with additional aging potential. Concentrated dark fruit, deft use of French oak. Good value in premium Sonoma reserve cab category. $60
Pairing—Grilled porterhouse steak, ribeye, slow-cooked braised short ribs; rack of lamb; grilled tuna, swordfish; spaghetti Bolognese, lasagna; creamy mushroom risotto; charred, caramelized roast winter vegetables; eggplant Parmesan. Avoid light, delicate proteins (white fish); acidic tomato-forward dishes. Cheese—Aged cheddar (18+ months); aged gouda (18+ months); gruyère, comté; manchego (aged 12+ months); parmigiano-reggiano (aged 24+ months); pecorino Tascano; aged goat cheese (Cypress Grove Midnight Moon).
