Justin Gilman CSW, CSS

8.9

Great #wine. I see hints, and characters of #CabFanc, just very faint and fine. Still a tremendous wine. Dry with tannins coming alive after time. Firm cherry flavors with some leather, and Jalepeno. Clean throughout. — 8 years ago

Isaac Pirolo

9.0

Considering David Ramey has been consulting here since 2005, working with a winemaking team headed by Rick Sayre, whose history with Rodney Strong dates back to 1979 (with prior training under André Tchelistcheff), add to that a decent note from RP and the strong vintage, I had to pull the trigger on this at $30.

The shy aromatics hint at how tight this is on the palate initially. Blackberry, plum, and currant are wrapped inside charred cedar and dark mocha, and seasoned with tinge of something very close to Worcestershire or balsamic. The midpalate veers in a tart and herbaceous direction, with a high toned finish that feels unconventional, not to the point of being awkward, but certainly divisive in style. Needs a year or two, but if you have to open, give it 2 to 3 hours to let it stretch out. — 9 years ago

"Odedi"

9.2

Oh, yeah. My Friday's Cabernet fix.
Inky in color with a dark purple rim.

Sweet nose of blueberries, blackberries, sweet cherries, strawberries pie, vanilla, oak, blackberries, ripe plums, licorice, acetone, light cloves and peppercorn.

Full bodied, big and bold, with medium acidity and long legs.

Extremely fruity and Dry on the palate, with dried figs, blackberries, sweet plums, earth, leather, cherries, oak, vanilla, cola, licorice, cedar and peppercorn.

Long finish with firm tannins, spices and black pepper.

This Cabernet Sauvignon from Sonoma County is really enjoyable by itself to sip on. Complex and well balanced.

A Great wine to pair with a nice piece of filet mignon, which is exactly what I did.

It still needs a few years to chill in the bottle, but I loved it as it is.

14.3% alcohol by volume. — 10 years ago

Christopher Koch

9.0

First Zinfandel I think I've liked. Crisp taste. Not too strong. Mildly dry. — 10 years ago

Tony Guntermann

9.0

Nice gentle tannins with a peppery finish! I like how this Syrah tones down the Cab a bit. — 10 years ago

with Kelly

Matt Reagan

9.0

Was no longer available at my favorite wine bar, so I had to open one. — 10 years ago

Alma

9.5

Smooth! Love it! I bought 5 different wines, this one impressed me. (I went back to the store to pick up another bottle) — 11 years ago

Benjamin Keator

9.2

Nice, but over oaked. Typically I would never say that. Maybe I'm in a funky mood tonight — 11 years ago

Amy Hill

9.0

Nice bold Zin. Has a deep red color and nice smooth taste. I really enjoyed this wine. — 12 years ago

Denver Sean

9.0

I felt like it needed a duck. — 13 years ago

Justus Graham

9.3

Excellent w/ no decanting. Wish I could find this on the shelf. Plenty of complexity without all the weight that sometimes comes along with it — 9 years ago

Isaac Pirolo

9.5

1994 was a big year in California... the Northridge earthquake, OJ, Apple's Power Mac, Netscape Navigator, Green Day's Dookie, and this Cabernet from Stonestreet. This is the only one that's still relevant today.

Upon opening I could tell there was plenty left in the tank. I had my concerns, though, with how brett-y and damp the initial funk it gave off was, but the fruit was showing through. It needed 45 minutes before it was noticeably better. The surprise was how much it continued improving over the next two hours, leveling off at style reminiscent of 1989 Left Bank Bordeaux... an entanglement of dried black cherry, coffee, graphite, pipe tobacco, and dried herbs with an edge of pine, but with a slightly more pronounced oak influence. The hint of damp earth remains to linger in the background. I'm not sure I'd risk it, but this could probably go another decade. Superb. — 9 years ago

Alex Garcia

9.0

Really nice bottle for the price....I agree that it is a little thin but still has bold and expressive flavors...solid bottle especially if you are drinking a bottle or two...lol.... — 10 years ago

Peggy Hadley

8.9

Several people thought this was corked. It opened up. I liked it. — 10 years ago

with Katie, Jim and 2 others

Jody Scharf

9.3

Buttery. Creamy. Minerals. The way you want your chardonnay to taste. If you can find it and a chard lover like me. You will be happy you purchased. RP gave this a 97. That's good I think. Lol. — 10 years ago

Brandon Frohne

9.0

Oak, smoke, vanilla, hint of clove, and chocolate. Paired it up with food from Sonic Drive thru because the kids were all passed out in the back seat. I can't complain. Happy New Year! — 10 years ago

Yvonne Frazier

9.3

So smooth , I taste black cherries! — 11 years ago

John Kemper

9.5

I wasn't quite sure what to expect when I decanted the deep purple '92 Simi Cabernet Sauvignon 'Alexander Valley Reserve'. The expectations jumped considerably when complex aromas of dried black and blue berries, cedar, espresso and dark chocolate arose from the decanter. Layers of blueberry-infused flavors coated the palate. Perfectly resolved tannins provided an elegant finish to this wonderfully aged to perfection Cab. — 11 years ago

Robyn Grahn

9.0

I love pulling this out to drink and just chill. It's not sweet which I like and just a nice buttery smooth taste. — 12 years ago

Marty Winters

9.1

The wine I helped Leo Hansen make in 2011. Tasting pretty amazing! — 13 years ago

Lawrence Cooper

9.8

Unusually supple , refined and beautifully balanced for one of the Heavyweight Cal Cabs especially as it is so young. As I was told by the Sommelier " this wine although not having enough Merlot to consider it a Meritage , Uncle Rodney and his crew do blend with more than a modicum of Merlot and have made a conscious effort to make the wine more eminently drinkable and approachable at a younger age .
Gorgeous full forward fruit w cherry notes , I feel a roundness of toasty oak as well.
Worth higher marks than the rating I saw at 8.9. I would give this wine about 9.3! Incorrect not north by northwest sb Rodney strong Alexander valley 2014 — 9 years ago

Matt Beyard

9.0

Look what I found. Delicious Zin from Bella. — 9 years ago

Shay A

9.3

In comparison to the Kathryn Hall, much more approachable now. More compacted. A combo of blackberry, cinnamon bread, and oak. Attacks the tongue with medium toast and a bit of toffee. Have not had a Hall wine that I haven't thoroughly enjoyed. — 10 years ago

Andrew Collins

9.0

Deep maroon-purple color. Rich and dark fruit, with chocolate and baking spice notes on the nose and tongue. Toasty and creamy oak came out over a few house and especially when I opened the bottle again the next day. Fine grained tannins. Long finish. Great. Better on day two. — 10 years ago

Liz Fet

8.9

Sweet, with a hint of dryness. I think it tastes better as its exposed — 10 years ago

Cole Ingram

9.4

Man, I love this wine. Bright, acidic but can taste the vines. Easy to pair. — 10 years ago

Kristen Schott

9.2

Yum. We were recommended here because I love cab franc, and it certainly was fantastic. Loved the long finish and cloves. — 11 years ago

Jo Anne B

9.5

Green pepper and spice. Love it as much as I did when we were in the tasting room. — 11 years ago

with Kim, Dave and 2 others

Brax Z

9.0

Is a good, steady weeknight dinner cab. Not over the top with fruit or body which was nice. But needs a little more complexity for me to rate higher. I would drink again on Tuesday night. — 12 years ago

John Chang

9.7

Absolutely taken by this great full body red. Was never that impressed with Rodney Strong wines until I was introduced to the Rockaway. Highly recommended! — 12 years ago