Sometimes you have to crack into the cellar when a special friend comes over! Jason was the guest of honor! This one has been in my cellar for almost two years now. I enjoyed this one when I first opened it and it has rewarded my patience. It is a smack on varietal cab from start to finish. The nose, the color, the finish are excellent. This has all the usual dark berry and cherry flavors one expects from a California cab, while not the most fruit forward or lively one. The oak is reasonably pronounced and the finish is long. Not a hint of spiciness! It has a beautiful bit of dryness that builds nicely especially without food! The wine has integrating well as it ages and I look forward to trying another one in a year or two. There was a slight bit of bitterness but easily handled by 1/2 hour decanting. In no time flat the bottle disappeared. Damn evaporation again 🙂 I paired it with a meat ravioli with tomato sauce and it went well! Yumm. I would say easily a 91 or so … Interestingly we tried some of the Richard Hamilton Merlot I last blogged about right after this one, and we could really tell the difference in elegance this wine had over the Richard Hamilton. I really like aged cabs. And even 2 years makes a difference. Try it for yourself sometime. Buy one extra bottle and stick it in a cupboard (cool, but not too cool and dry) somewhere and forget about it for two years …
From the LCBO web site:
RODNEY STRONG CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2003 Sonoma County As one of the winemaking pioneers in Sonoma, the late great Rodney Strong would be proud of this stylish Cabernet. Try it with game meats, grilled lamb or roast beef. TASTING NOTE: Wine Style: fruity, medium-bodied. Appearance: ruby. Nose: red black berries, herbs. Taste: medium bodied, sweet, juicy, good tannin complexity finish. Score – **** (out of 5). (Tony Aspler, www.tonyaspler.com, May 18, 2006). 226944 (D) 750 mL $19.95
The 2005 is in the LCBO right now Check LCBO stock Not a whole lot around but some. Price is creeping up … and it seems the rating is heading down. Nice combination 🙂
For 2005 the LCBO web site says:
RODNEY STRONG CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2005 VINTAGES 226944 | 750 mL bottle
Price: $ 22.95 Wine, Red Wine, 13.86% Alcohol/Vol.
Sugar Content : D
Made in: California/Californie, United States By: Rodney Strong Vineyards
Release Date: Nov 8, 2008
Tasting Note
Garnet color. Baked berries, singed herb, and barnyard aromas. A round, silky entry leads to a dry-yet-fruity medium-to-full body of berry, clay, and forest floor flavors. Finishes with a tangy cocoa powder and dried berry fade with dusty tannin. A very Bordeaux-like offering. Pair with stews and game. Highly Recommended. , Score – 88. (www.tastings.com, Feb. 25, 2008)
