The fruit was harvested from Jimtown, Geyserville, and Cloverdale vineyards and blended to produce this cuvée. As a county wine, it’s representative of cooler Sonoma growing conditions, which can lead to a wine of less ripeness and more finesse. But winemaking matters, too, and this wine’s élevage shows a light hand.
It’s robe is ruby purplish, quite youthful seeming, but a fragrance of cassis and currants, tobacco and tea-leather belie its youth. The body is a mouthful of black currants, cranberries, and black cherries embroidered with threads of vanilla and spice. I think this oak treatment will integrate with a couple of years in bottle, but it feels balanced and friendly now, too.
It’s rare to discover a California Cabernet so well made at this price yet worthy of aging at least a few years. Drink some now, hold some for later, and find out.
13.5% abv | $20 (sample)
Yep. Rodney Strong is doing good things these days. Thanks for the info on this wine.
I agree. They make excellent wines up and down the range.
Had a bottle of the 2014 with dinner tonight. It was initially a touch sweet on entry, but beyond that it’s a solid package. Event that sweetness settled down with air. I would never turn down a glass.
Two of my co-workers each also grabbed a bottle at the same shop. I will be curious to see what they think of it. Both are novices.