November In Sonoma Wine Country/A Pinot Noir and Cabernet Kind Of Day/Rodney Strong/

We have enjoyed a beautiful day in Sonoma wine country,and have two great wines for our evening meal.We are staying in Healdsburg at the Dry Creek Inn all week,and feel you will love the town and the Inn.Let's check out the tasting notes on our two wines from Rodney Strong Vineyards and Winery. Winemaking Notes Our Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir has brilliant aromas of pomegranate, wild strawberry and baking spices. On the palate, flavors of cherry, cranberry and pomegranate are framed by fine-grained tannins, coastal minerality and bright acidity that culminate on the lengthy finish. The wine was barrel fermented in French oak creating elegant spice characteristics and a silky, smooth texture. Enjoy this wine with roasted vegetables, mushroom risotto, grilled salmon or roasted duck with a fig chutney. History Situated in the Southern and Western end of Sonoma County, Sonoma Coast is a distinct region that is directly influenced by the Pacific Ocean and is known to produce Pinot Noir of exceptional complexity with true varietal and terroir characteristics unique to the region. Sonoma Coast’s climate means the region is ideally suited to cold-climate viticulture, encouraging the full expression of Pinot Noir, which are very different to those from warmer regions. Our Sonoma Coast Blue Wing vineyard sits at the very closest point to the bay within the Petaluma Gap. The Petaluma Gap channels coastal fog and sea breezes to the vineyard every late afternoon, where cool nights and warm days of filtered sunlight bring out the very best in our Pinot Noir. The longer, colder growing season results in harvests well into October at times, producing elegant complexity and character with our Blue Wing vineyard delivering true to the appellation distinct wines that are crisp, elegant and a beautifulrepresentation of Sonoma Coast. The Vineyards 2013 was the kind of growing season that most would wish we could have every year: a dry, frost-free spring, a warm summer without heat spikes, and a warm, rain free autumn that allows for picking all varieties in their turn when they are perfectly mature. This Pinot Noir was harvested from our Blue Wing vineyard on the Sonoma Coast on September 11th. We have a second wine today,I think you will love both. 2013 Knights Valley Cabernet Sauvignon Winemaking Notes A powerful Cabernet from the hillsides of Alexander Valley, this wine is lush with blackberries, dark plum and dark chocolate. The notes of dried herbs, black pepper and minerality refl ect the terroir of the Alexander Valley. The soft, supple and mature tannins give this wine a strong backbone, while the 18 months of barrel aging have softened the wine enough to enjoy now. Food pairings Pair this wine with braised short ribs, lamb shanks, beef ravioli or cellar for enjoyment over the next four to six years. History Rod Strong recognized the Alexander Valley as an ideal place to grow Cabernet Sauvignon as far back as 1971, when he planted our first Cabernet vineyard on a hill known as Alexander’s Crown. Today we proudly farm four different estate vineyards on the benches and hillsides above the valley floor, where Cabernet displays the finest expression of the Alexander Valley terroir. The Vineyards 2013 was the kind of growing season that most would wish we could have every year: a dry, frost-free spring, a warm summer without heat spikes, and a warm rain free autumn that allowed for picking the grapes perfectly mature. Warm days with cool evenings prevailed in September which kept sugar accumulation at an even pace and left acidity in the fruit. We harvested the Cabernet Sauvignon to make this wine from September 16th through October 11th under ideal conditions. We have two great wines and four dishes to pair with these amazing wines!Please join us!Cheers! Click here and join us as we feast in Sonoma Wine country.