Review: 2019 Rodney Strong Rose of Pinot Noir and Charlotte’s Home Sauvignon Blanc
While it’s tough to go out wine tasting these days, Rodney Strong did the next best thing and put winemaker Justin Seidenfeld on a Zoom call with media to taste through a couple of summery wines virtually and talk about Rodney Strong’s history. (Did you know that Strong, the man, was a professional dancer who worked with Martha Graham?) Let’s give them a try.
2019 Rodney Strong Rosé of Pinot Noir Russian River Valley – Fresh and full of strawberry, lemon-lime, and watermelon notes, this is a gorgeous rose (made “intentionally,” says the winery, with grapes made just for this wine, not leftovers) that pours on the fruit, filtering it through a touch of vanilla and just the slightest amount of zippy fizz. Less sweet and more bracingly acidic than the typical California rose, this is a lovely and balanced rose that finds itself elevated well beyond the more common and brutish fare on the market. A / $25
2019 Rodney Strong Charlotte’s Home Estate Sauvignon Blanc – 10% barrel fermented, giving it a touch of vanilla. You get that element right away, a slight nougat character doing battle with the grassy, fruity elements on the palate. The wine tends more toward fig and gooseberry rather than the more typical tropical fruit, with lots of vanilla lingering on the finish. B / $17