Wine Each Week: Rodney Strong 2014 Symmetry

Symmetry: “Correct or pleasing proportion of the parts of a thing.”

That sums up this wine from Sonoma’s Rodney Strong Vineyards.

Comprised mainly of Cabernet Sauvignon, there are small amounts of Malbec (8%), Merlot (5%), Petite Verdot (4%) and Cabernet Franc (3%) and whereas that may not sound proportional, the proof is in the pudding, as the old saying goes (actually the saying was “the proof of the pudding was in the eating,” not unlike the proof of a wine is in the drinking). There is a unique freshness to this wine, straddling both potent tannic structure and acidity and burst of subtle and bright red fruits like black cherry, plum, boysenberry and fermented fig. Nearly two years in French oak has tamed this wine…a bit, but it still poses a bold and uncompromising flavor profile.

ORIGIN:  Alexander Valley Sonoma, California.

PRICE: $55/ 750ML

ALCOHOL: 14.5%

SCORE: 91 POINTS

Rodney Strong

Straighten Up and Fly Right

Classic Bordeaux blends hailing from Napa are not uncommon; what is uncommon is to find one that truly represents a traditional blend, but also promises compatibility with food and, quite simply, is a pleasure to drink. The 2012 Canard Vineyard Vintner’s Blend nails it. As a wine writer I have written about Canard Vineyard in The Hollywood Reporter; as a wine buyer I carry their Reserve Cabernet in my wine department at PierreLafond Market in Montecito, so yes, I am a fan. Their Vintner’s Blend is comprised of Cabernet Sauvignon (42%), Merlot (36%), Cabernet Franc (21%) and Petit Verdot (1%). Grown in Calistoga and aged 19 months in both new and neutral French oak, the result is a wine that is seamless and graceful with nothing out of place, sort of like a restrained opulence. The nose offers typical blackberry, blueberry and dark cherry hints, but it hits the palate with soft tannins and lingers in the mid palate with cassis, black cherry, cedar and a wisp of mocha and mint. The under current of acidity allows tremendous food pairing options and the oak treatment is judicious meaning this wine will not overpower your meal. Canard turned out just 517 cases of this wine, which not only provides a stellar value at this price, but allows you bragging rights since Canard wines are not easy to get your hands on.

ORIGIN: Napa, California

PRICE: $45/ 750ML

ALCOHOL: 14.9%

BOOZEHOUNDZ SCORE:  92 POINTS