Rodney Strong

Rodney Strong

Symmetry Meritage Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot 2012

v12. Don’t know why I still had this, but I lucked out. Delicious! Sharp, fragrant “barrel sample” nose. Fresh, rich, deep black currant, blackberry, cassis and plum fruit. Structured, yet velvety smooth whipped chocolate finish. At peak, very well balanced. — 7 days ago

Château Lynch-Bages

Grand Cru Classé Pauillac Cabernet Sauvignon Blend 2023

Château Lynch-Bages 2023 – Pauillac, Grand Cru Classé, BDX, France 🇫🇷

Overview
A powerful, structurally driven Pauillac showing serious depth and long-term ambition, built on a 71% Cabernet Sauvignon–dominant blend with 22% Merlot, 4% Cabernet Franc, 3% Petit Verdot support. The wine carries muscular architecture, dark fruit density, and firm tannic authority, currently showing some youthful rough edges but clearly positioned for future greatness with proper cellaring.

Aromas & Flavors
Blackcurrant, cassis liqueur, blackberry skin, graphite, cedar plank, crushed gravel, tobacco leaf, dark cocoa and subtle savory spice.

Mouthfeel
Full-bodied with firm, youthful tannins, strong mid-palate grip, vibrant supporting acidity, dense core concentration, and a long, structured finish that signals serious aging capacity.

Food Pairings
Dry-aged ribeye, grilled lamb chops, beef short ribs, rosemary-crusted venison, aged hard cheeses, slow-braised meats.

Verdict
A high-potential Pauillac still in its formative phase. The structure, depth, and terroir signature are undeniable, but integration will require time. A climber rather than a polished performer today, patience will be rewarded handsomely.

🍷 Personal Pick
This feels like a future star in development, powerful, slightly raw, but absolutely loaded with upside. Not a wine for instant gratification, but one that will evolve into something truly special with time. I’d happily cellar this and revisit around 2029 when the polish finally matches the horsepower.
— 5 months ago

Ted, Tom and 5 others liked this

Silver Oak

Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2018

Always a solid Sonoma cab. Some anise and dark fruit, dark chocolate and anise. Slight bit of dill and vanilla. Drinks young, this could go for a bit longer. Good strong tannins but smooth enough to balance my prime rib. — 3 years ago

Jillian Varner
with Jillian

Rodney Strong Vineyards

Charlottes's Home Sonoma County Sauvignon Blanc 2019

Crisp and light! Exactly what I was looking for to compliment a homemade fish and chips night. — 5 years ago

Château Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande

Pauillac Red Bordeaux Blend 1982

Ken's bday! What a treat! Like no other wines I've tasted, beyond elegant, earthy mushroom, plums and blackberries. Past it's prime but still had a strong sense of what it was at its peak. — 6 years ago

Ira liked this

Rodney Strong Vineyards

Reserve Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2017

Really nice cab- drinking really well right now! — a month ago

The Prisoner Wine Company

The Prisoner Napa Valley Zinfandel Blend 2016

Dark ruby in color with a wide reddish rim.

Strong nose of black fruits with cedar, vanilla, leather, spices, earth, chocolates and black pepper.

Full-bodied with medium acidity and long legs.

Dry and very fruity on the palate with black currants, black plums, blackberries, cooked cherries, light green vegetables, spices, pencil lead and peppercorn.

Long finish with soft tannins and tangy cherries.

This 10 year old red blend from California is still drinking beautifully. Complex and interesting. Nice to see that it aged nicely.

Showing slight RS on the palate, but I can live with that.

Easy drinking and good by itself as a sipping wine.

A blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Petite Sirah, Syrah and Charbono.

15.2% alcohol by volume.

92 points.

$60.
— 5 months ago

Andrew, Ted and 9 others liked this
Dick Schinkel

Dick Schinkel

Big Cheers dear Winefriend 👌🍷

Dunn Vineyards

Howell Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon 2017

It was fine. Maybe a bit immature but it was unfocused and limited vs expectations. Strong tea notes. Limited fruit and more alcohol than typical. — 10 months ago

Tom, Jeroen and 20 others liked this

Château Cos d'Estournel

Saint-Estèphe Red Bordeaux Blend 1953

Performing way above my expectations. Brilliant color, strong fruit and fabulous balance. — 3 years ago

Ira, Ted and 10 others liked this

Far Niente Winery

Oakville Cabernet Sauvignon 2016

Earthy, black cherry, toasted oak, tobacco are prominent. Red fruit also. Ripe prominent fruit gives way to a still strong tannic structure. Decanted an hour. Very smooth yet complex. Tannins need more time to soften up a bit to enter its prime. — 5 years ago

Château Lafite Rothschild

Pauillac Red Bordeaux Blend 1953

From a great old looking bottle with a mid shoulder fill. Cork is fully saturated and the crud under the capsule had formed a strong seal. Slow-ox’d for a few hours, then decanted for an hour or two before taken to L’Escargot in Carmel. Amber tawny rims with a reddish tawny core. Crazy nose right from the start. Notes of sweet black cherries, tobacco leaf, plums, black pepper, ash and crusty wood, pencil shavings, some just unwrapped cigar and some menthol. Silky in the mouth with firm structure and soft but present acidity. Long and memorable finish. Outstanding performance over several hours. — 6 years ago

Tom, Alex and 28 others liked this
Iwan

Iwan

Amazing
David L

David L Influencer Badge Premium Badge

One hell of a pull

Rodney Strong Vineyards

Upshot Zinfandel Blend 2017

Fruity, deep and complex. Light enough to drink on its own, but strong enough to go with a lamb dinner — 6 years ago

Rodney Strong Vineyards

Sonoma County Cabernet Sauvignon 2011

Spicy oak and pepper. Heavy wine
Tasty. Will drink again.
— 5 months ago

Rodney Strong Vineyards

Brothers Ridge Single Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon 2017

11/2025. A solid can. Good fruit and boldness. — 7 months ago

Robin, Rob and 2 others liked this

Marchesi Antinori

Tignanello Toscana Super Tuscan Blend 1988

Birthday year wine for me! Might not be the best Tig vintage, but nothing to scoff at. The ‘88 is getting to be almost last prime, this time bottle showing well. Rusty red with strong aromas of cigar box, leather, and pencil shavings. Drinks slightly thin, and im not getting much fruit. Still, it’s tasty and a special vintage to me. — 2 years ago

Château Calon-Ségur

Saint-Estèphe Red Bordeaux Blend 2001

‘01 is drinking beautiful in ‘22. Primo. 21 years old is drinking age, how about that?

This wine has aged beautifully and remains strong. Dense and rich, but soft and supple. I’m leaning heavily into the current and jammy notes that remain, but the obvious flavors are the old leather, tobacco, and sage.

Color comes out dark ruby red, but after about an hour in the glass you can see the oxygen taking hold. No decanting required. Glad I bought two of these!
— 4 years ago

Jillian Varner
with Jillian

Joseph Phelps Vineyards

Insignia Estate Grown Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon Blend 2007

Surprisingly strong tannins for how old it is, but,improved with an extra hour of decanting. — 6 years ago

Meghana KalojiCarolyn PatroneAlex Patrone
with Meghana, Carolyn and 1 other

Château Pontet-Canet

Pauillac Red Bordeaux Blend 2005

A bit disappointing. Strong start but fishes mid palate. Nice left bank nose. Dark fruit. A hint of cherry leather and chocolate. Tannins present but doesn’t feel like it will evolve to be a classic. — 6 years ago

David Stein
with David
Bruce, Keith and 4 others liked this
David Stein

David Stein

Yikes. Thanks for heads up.