Blackberry, cherry cola, raspberry, vanilla, plum, mossy earth and oak. Good structure and velvety tannins.
Blackberry, cherry cola, raspberry, vanilla, plum, mossy earth and oak. Good structure and velvety tannins.
Oct 24th, 2017
Considering David Ramey has been consulting here since 2005, working with a winemaking team headed by Rick Sayre, whose history with Rodney Strong dates back to 1979 (with prior training under André Tchelistcheff), add to that a decent note from RP and the strong vintage, I had to pull the trigger on this at $30.
The shy aromatics hint at how tight this is on the palate initially. Blackberry, plum, and currant are wrapped inside charred cedar and dark mocha, and seasoned with tinge of something very close to Worcestershire or balsamic. The midpalate veers in a tart and herbaceous direction, with a high toned finish that feels unconventional, not to the point of being awkward, but certainly divisive in style. Needs a year or two, but if you have to open, give it 2 to 3 hours to let it stretch out.
Considering David Ramey has been consulting here since 2005, working with a winemaking team headed by Rick Sayre, whose history with Rodney Strong dates back to 1979 (with prior training under André Tchelistcheff), add to that a decent note from RP and the strong vintage, I had to pull the trigger on this at $30.
The shy aromatics hint at how tight this is on the palate initially. Blackberry, plum, and currant are wrapped inside charred cedar and dark mocha, and seasoned with tinge of something very close to Worcestershire or balsamic. The midpalate veers in a tart and herbaceous direction, with a high toned finish that feels unconventional, not to the point of being awkward, but certainly divisive in style. Needs a year or two, but if you have to open, give it 2 to 3 hours to let it stretch out.
Jan 25th, 2017
v13. Nice. Smoked meat and rose petal nose. Juicy blackberry fruit. Bright, round, tight, slightly bitey, black pepper and chocolate finish. Nice!!
v13. Nice. Smoked meat and rose petal nose. Juicy blackberry fruit. Bright, round, tight, slightly bitey, black pepper and chocolate finish. Nice!!
Oct 30th, 2021
Very fruity opening on the nose, give it a couple of minutes in the glass to fully develop before drinking.
Very fruity opening on the nose, give it a couple of minutes in the glass to fully develop before drinking.
Oct 22nd, 2017
Alexander Valley, Sonoma County, California, USA
