Wine Review: Discover amazing wines from Sonoma’s Rodney Strong

What does one do when they want to retire as a professional dancer? Why, open a winery, of course!

That is exactly what Rodney Strong did – and did so very successfully.

Strong, a professional dancer trained under some of the world’s finest and most famous dancers in several countries, settled down in Sonoma, California and spent the rest of his life making wine.

Rodney Strong 2023 Chalk Hill Chardonnay ($25)
This wine is a textbook example of what a fine California chardonnay should be like. There are the subdued flavors of summer tropical fruits, ripe apple and citrus. In the background there are aromas of oak, vanilla and roasted nuts. The Rodney Strong 2023 Chalk Hill Chardonnay is a very well-made chardonnay that I believe will satisfy even the most critical of experts but, more importantly, any wine-lover. Needless to say, I was impressed.

Rodney Strong 2023 Russian River Valley Pinot Noir ($30)
Sonoma County’s Russian River Valley is probably the finest region in California for growing the pinot noir grape. The cool microclimate of the Russian River Valley allows the grapes to develop slowly, and it is that slow ripening that results in the grapes developing deeper and more concentrated flavors. Coupling that with the experience of the Rodney Strong winemakers and eight months aging in oak barrels has resulted in an exceptional pinot noir that exhibits a broad spectrum of flavors, with cherries and red berries being the most prominent. There are also many other flavors lying in the background, with oak and a hint of truffles being the most obvious. This very well-made, medium-bodied wine has been crafted in the tradition of the Burgundian classics and confirms my belief that exceptional pinot noir wines can be made in the United States and can do so at what is, for a Russian River Valley pinot noir, a very affordable price.

Rodney Strong 2022 Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon ($35)
This cabernet sauvignon is a wine that presents all of the flavors and aromas associated with a well-made wine by stressing fruit over the usually austere and stiff character of the grape variety. The color is a dark ruby red and accompanies an aroma showcasing cherries, spice and vanilla. These carry over to the flavor, where they mingle with a raspberry element and the very discernable flavors of chocolate and a hint of oak. This wine has a wonderful softness about it and reflects many of the flavors and aromas found only in well-aged cabernet sauvignon wines. Rather than being saved to be served only with the heaviest of meat dishes, this wine’s expansive flavor spectrum allows it to be used with a much broader selection of modern foods and is a perfect choice as an aperitif.

Rodney Strong Charlotte’s Home 2024 Sauvignon Blanc ($18)
Sauvignon blanc grapes can produce wines in the California style, with a melon and citrus flavor and aroma, as well as wines in the classical European style, which features a prominent herbaceous flavor. The Rodney Strong Charlotte’s Home 2024 Sauvignon Blanc straddles both styles – and does so by accenting the best features of both styles. It has the classical grassy component, which is held in check so that the fruity California style can predominate. This effect allows this wine to be served with a wider spectrum of foods and will nicely accompany poultry and lighter meats, as well as seafood. As I discovered, this wine is a standout companion to sushi. The quality of this version of America’s favorite white wine belies its very reasonable price, which, for a Sonoma County wine, is rare.

Wine columnist Bennet Bodenstein can be reached at frojhe1@att.net.