Rick Sayre /Wine Master/Somoma County's Rodney Strong Vineyards

We have two great wines already picked out for dinner.First let's check out the history of this great winery,and then get to the tasting notes. Our story begins more than 50 years ago, when a celebrated American dancer named Rod Strong settled in Sonoma County to pursue a second lifelong creative passion: winemaking. Rodney Strong Vineyards was the 13th winery bonded in the newly discovered Sonoma County wine industry. A trio of winemaking paths crossed when Rick Sayre joined the team as Winemaker in 1979, and again when the Klein Family, 4th generation California farmers, purchased the winery in 1989 and initiated a renewed commitment of modern artisan winemaking. Through the years, Rodney Strong Vineyards has earned the reputation for critically acclaimed Single Vineyard and Reserve wines, stand out Estate releases and best-in-class Sonoma County varietal wines. We have a bottle of red and a bottle of white,let's start with the Sonoma Coast Chardonnay .This Chardonnay has wonderful citrus, tropical fruit and white floral aromas. On the palate this wine is bursting with crisp apple, lemon and vanilla notes with refreshing and bright acidity. The wine was barrel fermented in new French Oak creating creaminess and spice complexities on the palate. We regularly stirred the lees during the 12 months of barrel aging to add richness and texture. The remaining portion was cold fermented in stainless steel where malolactic fermentation brought additional character to the wine. Enjoy this wine with crabcakes, grilled chicken salad or a grilled halibut with a lemon beurre blanc sauce. Technical Information Alcohol: 13.5 Total Acidity: .067 g/100mL Barrel Aging: 50% barrel fermented, aged 12 months in 100% new oak barrels, 50% stainless steel Appellation Sonoma Coast Share Print Download Email Sonoma Coast Chardonnay Sonoma Coast Chardonnay We are Enjoying this wine with crab cakes, and a grilled halibut with a lemon beurre blanc sauce. I hope you saved room for our red wine of the day?? 2012 Alexander’s Crown exhibits ripe flavors of black cherry, plum and violets. The wine is voluptuous, has a rich mouth feel, soft tannins and a long lingering finish with a touch of mocha. Enjoy this wine now or cellar it for enjoyment in 8 to 10 years. Technical Information Alcohol: 15% Total Acidity: 0.57 g/100 mL Fermentation: 21 months in 100% French oak barrels, 38% new Vineyard: Alexander’s Crown Alexander’s Crown Alexander’s Crown AVAILABLE SEPTEMBER 13TH, 2015 The 2012 vintage started off warm and dry, with little to no frost. By mid-summer people were beginning to whisper about how perfect the growing season was going. Rain-free warm days and cool nights were the rule, with no storms or heat spikes. Situated at the top of a low knoll, the 15 acres of block 1 at Alexander’s Crown face in all different directions. However the favored part of the vineyard is the west face, which catches the late afternoon sun. This 5.7 acre “sun trap” block was picked on October 5th and made up 86% of the finished blend. The remaining 14% of the blend came from Cabernet picked almost two weeks later from the east-facing block, which needed the extra time to ripen, though it’s only a stone’s throw away from the west block. Whereas fruit from the western side of block 1 added delicious layers of deep fruit and soft texture to the wine the eastern part of block 1 added structure and acidity to balance. ?This wine will bring tonight's dinner to the highest level!We are still saving you a seat!Cheers! Click here and join us for our first wine and food pairing. Click here and enjoy this great feature with Rick Sayre and Rodney Strong Vineyards.