2010 Rodney Strong Pinot Noir

Norm's Tasting Notes By: Norm Bentley North Georgia Wine Advisor normwine@bellsouth.net     2010 Rodney Strong Russian River Pinot Noir #nb-18-13     About ten years ago I began to notice that a number of the California wines that I was enjoying the most were originating from the Russian River Appellation of Sonoma County, California. Around that time I began to tell people to look for Russian River on the label, and regardless of the winery or the grape variety, you would have a good bottle of wine. I still stand by that statement. The climate and the soil of that corner of Sonoma County seem to be just right for growing grapes, especially Chardonnay and Pinot Noir.   The other night we opened a bottle of 2010 Rodney Strong Russian River Valley Estate Vineyards Pinot Noir to accompany a select piece of steelhead for the grill. We were not disappointed. This Pinot Noir is a beautiful brilliant red in color, with a nose that suggests currants and wildflowers. The wine has a strong presence of plum coupled with red berries in its flavor spectrum, and leads into a clean and pleasant finish, with tones of toasty vanilla and oak stemming from its eleven months of aging in French oak. The alcohol; content is 14.5%.   While the Rodney Strong Pinot Noir was excellent with our steelhead, it would also pair well with a thick cut of rare prime rib. Norm's score is 89.       Score: 89   Price: $20 - $25   Norm Norm’s Tasting Notes can also be accessed at his blog: http://normwine.blogspot.com/ Norm’s Tasting Notes available online at either: http://cumminghome.com/ http://dawsontimes.com/ http://pineisland-eagle.com/ WINE – God’s Proof of his love for humanity