The legendary Rodney Strong established the 13th bonded winery in Sonoma County in the Alexander Valley. Significantly, he was a pioneer in planting grapes along the slopes of a hill rather than the valley floor. In 1971 he planted 15 acres of Cabernet Sauvignon on a perched terrace with red loamy soil. He felt this plot of land had the potential to produce a top Cabernet. The first vintage, a 1974 vineyard designated Cabernet Sauvignon, proved Strong was right. The wine was a huge success and critics loved it. Rodney Strong Single Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignons are now a signature premium wine for the company.
The Klein Family purchased Rodney Strong Vineyards in 1989. In addition, this 4th generation California Farming family is carrying on his legacy by continuing to craft premium wines, all the while honoring the history and embracing modern techniques for sustainable farming and winemaking.
For this tasting I tried three Rodney Strong single vineyard Cabernet Sauvignons. Additionally, I paired with food boards I made from Trader Joe’s products. I am based out of the Pacific Northwest, and we have an eclectic food scene with a heavy emphasis on fresh, local produce fused with Asian and Mediterranean influences. Surprisingly, Trader Joe’s serves as an excellent source for unique sauces and dips. Additionally, they offer a wide variety of cheeses and charcuterie, all available at a reasonable price point. Thank you to Rodney Strong Vineyards for providing the wines to try.
Alexander Valley
Surrounded by rolling hills, vineyards stretching as far as the eye can see, and with the iconic Russian River flowing through it, the Alexander Valley presents a picturesque beauty. The valley is located just an hour and a half north of San Francisco via Highway 101 North. Rodney Strong owns some of the top vineyards in the valley. Moreover, unique soils characterize each of the vineyards. Equally important is the warm climate, which receives a balancing effect from cool winds originating from the Pacific Ocean. Additionally, the region is blessed with the rolling fog that graces the area every evening.
The company has invested heavily in the latest water management techniques and low impact farming philosophies, with a focus on sustainability. A good wine begins in the vineyard and the care winegrower Ryan Decker shows for these vines pays off. He provides winemakers Justin Seidenfeld and Greg Morthole the stellar fruit to work their magic with input from Vintner Tom Klein.
2018 Alexander’s Crown Cabernet Sauvignon
This is the wine that put Rodney Strong on the map. The grapes are sourced from the first vineyard in the Alexander Valley to produce a Cabernet Sauvignon from a single vineyard. The 63-acre vineyard was established in 1971 and sits perched atop a hill just south of Jimtown. In particular, the well-drained red volcanic soil truly enhances the terroir of this wine.
The 2018 Alexander’s Crown Cabernet Sauvignon was my favorite of the three. The tasting notes state: “The 2018 Alexander’s Crown exhibits ripe flavors of black currant, blackberries, and violets. The wine is voluptuous, has a rich mouthfeel, soft tannins, and a long lingering finish with notes of dried herbs and a touch of mocha. Enjoy this wine now or cellar it for enjoyment in 8 to 10 years.” With its captivating aroma and an unmistakable terroir that nearly allows you to taste the essence of the volcano, I found the wine to be truly remarkable.
To my surprise, my favorite pairing from the assortment of food boards was the Trader Joe’s Oven Baked Cheese Bites from Italy. The combination of flavors was nothing short of an explosion in my mouth, as both the wine and the cheese contributed to the sensory experience. Notably, the interplay between the wine and the cheese was truly remarkable, enhancing the overall enjoyment.
2018 Rockaway Cabernet Sauvignon
Established in 1994, this vineyard boasts 125 acres primarily planted with Cabernet Sauvignon alongside four other Bordeaux varieties. The soil composition consists of gravelly clay subsoil overlaying fractured greywacke sandstone. Renowned for its production of concentrated and complex Cabernet Sauvignon, this vineyard yields small-berry clusters.
I enjoyed the 2018 Rockaway Cabernet Sauvignon paired with Trader Joe’s Vegetable Bird’s Nests. These are tempura battered spiral vegetables served with a soy sauce. With the tasting notes mentioning “wonderful, concentrated flavors of dark plum and red currant with notes of tobacco and leather,” I wanted to pair the wine with an Asian flavor to bring out the dark plum and red currant.
2018 Brothers Cabernet Sauvignon
The 141-acre Brothers Vineyard is located just east of Cloverdale. It sits at over 1000 feet in elevation with the grapes planted on the west-facing slopes to catch the afternoon sun. The sloping terrain keeps the loam soil with sandstone, fractured shale, and ancient greenstone well-drained.
The 2018 Brothers Cabernet Sauvignon can hold its own against spicy foods. The tasting notes state: “The 2018 Brothers is a deeply rich wine with complex flavors of dark berries and cassis. The wine is bursting with blackberry, plum and wonderful chocolate and mocha notes followed by a round and seductive mid-palate and a long lingering finish. Enjoy this wine now or cellar it for enjoyment in 8 to 10 years.” I tried it with Trader Joe’s Grilled Green Olives. These olives have grill marks on them which makes for a nice presentation and a rich, smoky flavor. It really brought out the dark berry and cassis flavors in the wine.
Purchase the Rodney Strong Single Vineyard Set
The retail price for these three single vineyard Cabernet Sauvignons is $90 per bottle. Alternatively, customers have the option to purchase the wine as a three bottle Single Vineyard Set for $195. I thoroughly enjoyed tasting all three bottles and found their distinct flavors fascinating. Equally important, I consistently question the value I place on a wine and contemplate whether I would be willing to pay for the opportunity to drink it again. In this particular instance, I firmly believe that these Rodney Strong wines justify their price point. I would gladly make the purchase again for a special occasion.
Rodney Strong Vineyards is the Celebrity Winery for the International Food, Wine, and Travel Writers Association’s Conference in October 2023. The conference takes place aboard the Discovery Princess and Chris O’Gorman, GM, will host a wine workshop and tasting.
Learn more about Sonoma County Wines:
Sonoma County Wine Region Needs Our Love
