Symmetry Meritage /Rodney Strong Vineyards and Winery/Pride Of Sonoma County/Rick Sayre

We have our last day at the Dry Creek Inn,and a very full day it will be.We have a great wine as our feature,and Symmetry Meritage is a wine of passion!This wine is a pure lesson in blending.We will check out the tasting notes,and some great information on the winery,and plan our lunchtime meal. WINEMAKING NOTES The 2012 Symmetry has a luxurious bouquet of blackberries, currants, cassis and crushed lavender which unfold on the palate with silky layers of black fruits, dark chocolate covered espresso beans and baking spices. This wine is rich, harmonious and elegant with a long, lingering finish. FOOD PAIRINGS Enjoy this wine now with a barbecue tri-tip, lamb roast or stew or cellar for enjoyment for years to come. HISTORY With over 40 years of experience growing classic French grape varieties in Alexander Valley, we select our best Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and other traditional Bordeaux grapes from the hills that overlook the valley, where well-drained rocky soils combine with warm, sunny days and cool nights to provide ideal growing conditions. Select areas within each vineyard are hand harvested individually, fermented separately and aged in the finest French oak barrels. After about six months, each lot is tasted and graded; only the highest graded wines are considered for Symmetry. The blend is then assembled, and the wine is returned to barrels to facilitate flavor integration. The wine is aged an additional 10 to 18 months, before bottling. THE VINEYARDS 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. We harvested our Cabernet Sauvignon between October 4th and the 20th, the Merlot September 27th through October 9th, the Cabernet Franc on October 9th, the Malbec on October 9th and 10th, and the Petit Verdot on October 10th.We have opened this great wine and have three dishes to go with it.Tonight I'm thinking I might try all three dishes. BEST WESTERN Dry Creek Inn at California Designed as a Tuscan-style villa, BEST WESTERN Dry Creek Inn is a charming hotel in Healdsburg, California. Relax in beautifully appointed-rooms in the Casa Siena and luxurious Villa Toscana in the heart of Sonoma wine country. Enjoy comfortable beds, ergonomic workspaces, and complimentary Wi-Fi. Start your day with our free hot breakfast, lounge by two pools, energize in the fitness center, or unwind in the steam room or sauna. Nestled between the Russian River, Alexander Valley and Dry Creek Valley Wine regions, our hotel is minutes from 150 world-renowned wineries, dining, arts, culture and outdoor activities. Explore local attractions like the Healdsburg Center for the Arts, California Golf Club at Tayman Park, River Rock Casino, Russian River and Lake Sonoma. Experience the food and wine culture of Sonoma County. Enjoy farm-to-table cuisine at our local restaurants and enjoy our wine tastings every Friday evening in the beautiful piazza. Sip the region's finest wines under the stars.d espresso beans and baking spices. This wine is rich, harmonious and elegant with a long, lingering finish. We have enjoyed the Dry creek Inn and the beautiful town of Healdsburg. Let's enjoy our features,Cheers! Click here and join us,as dinner is served!. Click here and join us as we enjoy this great wine feature with wine maker Rick Sayre.