Medium ruby color; cherry, black raspberry, strawberry, plum, wet stone, clove, earth—forest floor, toasted oak on the nose and palate.
Dry; mild tannins, good acidity (3.53 pH). Medium-plus body. Smooth, balanced, velvety mouthfeel. Delicious fruit. Rich and inviting with complexity and length. After early morning harvest, select areas in each vineyard block were fermented separately, graded for quality, assembled, then aged 14 months in French oak, 63% new. 14.5% ABV
The Rodney Strong story began in 1904 with the planting of the River West Vineyard, just south of Healdsburg, where the Rodney Strong winery is located. Winery founder Rodney D. Strong was born in 1927 in Camas, Washington. In addition to being a three-sport athlete, musician, and senior-class president, “Rod” was a dance prodigy. He served in the Navy in World War II, then studied at the American School of Ballet under legends George Balanchine and Martha Graham. He danced on Broadway, then produced shows at The Lido in Paris, where he fell in love with fine wine.
In 1959, Rod retired from dancing, married his dance partner, Charlotte Ann Winson, and began a new career in wine. “I knew I couldn’t be an old dancer,” he quipped, “but I could be an old winemaker.” After consulting with UC-Davis scientists, Rod and Charlotte settled in Sonoma. In 1962, he purchased a vineyard planted in “mixed grapes,” which he replanted mostly in chardonnay, the first chardonnay in what would become the celebrated Chalk Hill AVA. In 1968, he bought land and planted some of the first pinot noir in the Russian River Valley.
Rod handed off winemaker responsibilities to Rick Sayre in 1979. At the same time, Tom Klein completed his Stanford MBA and began working for an international management consulting firm hired to evaluate the potential of Rodney Strong Vineyards. Klein met Rodney Strong and Rick Sayre. Ten years later, in 1989, the Klein family purchased Rodney Strong Vineyards and began an ambitious program of expanding and modernizing. In 2003, that included installing the largest solar array of any winery in the world.
In 2009, Rodney Strong celebrated its 50th anniversary, Rick Sayre’s 30th year as its winemaker, and the Klein family’s 20th year of ownership. In 2014, Wine Enthusiast named Rodney Strong American Winery of the Year. In 2019, Rick Sayre became the winemaker emeritus and Justin Seidenfeld became director of winemaking. Seidenfeld produced this wine with winemakers Greg Morthole and Olivia Wright.
Rodney Strong Vineyards Russian River Valley Reserve Pinot Noir 2021 is smooth, superb with compelling complexity and depth. Easy drinker with delicious fruit. Very versatile wine will complement a range of dishes and cheeses. Can easily be enjoyed by itself or paired with an eclectic charcuterie board. Pair with grilled pork tenderloin; wild mushroom risotto; pan-seared duck. Salmon and other rich seafood. Roasted root vegetables; roasted portobello mushroom. Lighter beef dishes. Roast chicken. Cheese—brie, camembert, gruyère, medium-aged gouda, taleggio, époisses, cambozola. $60
