“Old wood best to
burn, old wine to drink, old friends to trust, and old authors to read” …. Athenaeus
The wine was not
released until March of 2011. In May of
the same year, Wine Enthusiast
reviewed it saying “… bone dry, very tannic and nowhere near ready.” BUT,
that same review awarded the wine 93 points referring to its “Intense flavor of
blackberries, black cherries, cassis, cola and herbs mark(ing) this fine
ageable wine.” Tasting ahead is talent. But tasting back can be a pure joy.
This year, I worked on St.
Patrick’s Day (pouring wine) so the corned beef and cabbage was made
later. Then my computer had a snit and
then this old critic simply forgot to post the review. Not everything about being old is a blessing,
but tasting this wine, now eleven years post vintage, certainly was. Rodney Strong is often referred to as “a
winery within a winery.” I heard that
reference from people that worked there when I visited in 2011. And I took that to mean the winery is a huge
operation; their labels being available across the whole spectrum of retail
outlets and at many on-premise locations.
But within that large production facility is the other winery. The one making limited production fine wine
from selected grapes of single vineyards.
Brothers Ridge Cabernet Sauvignon is that.
Rich, deep luscious cassis on the nose
with black cherry, accented by black pepper and nutmeg. Carried onto the palate, the cassis and
spices are met with black cherry that has just a hint of sweetness and merged
with a subtle hint of vanilla and toasty oak.
The texture is rich and silky. Tannins are glycerin-like and glide across the
palate unobtrusively and in harmony with plummy fruit. This is a wine of balance, made even better by
the phenolic compounds polymerizing with time in the bottle.
If you’re lucky enough to find a 2007
(or have one) I suggest drinking it now.
Although reputed to be drinkable for another 3-4 years, I think it’s
time has arrived. Besides, your own storage
conditions (and those in various retail stores) are all different. Don’t fret, however, over not finding this
vintage on the shelves. Wine Spectator ranked the 2014 vintage at
91 points for Cabernet Sauvignon from Sonoma and 92 points for 2012, each
better than 2007. Wine Advocate ranked as follows: 2015/93. 2014/93. 2013/94 and 2012/93. Yet, if it’s one thing this old critic has
not forgotten, it’s that certain houses working with particular vineyards have
a tradition of making quality wine vintage after vintage, and Brothers Ridge
Cabernet Sauvignon from Rodney Strong is an example. Congrats go out to Rick Sayre, David Ramey
and Tom Klein for their efforts.

Cheers!
…………Jim
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TECH SPECS:
Composition: 98% Cab
Sauv., 2% Cab Franc
ARP Varries Widely - $55-$75
Winery: Rodney Strong http://www.rodneystrong.com/our-story/vineyards/
Vineyard: Brothers
Ridge, Blocks 5,1a,8a,8d
Elevation: 400-1030
feet
Ageing: 25
Months 100% French Oak, 49% New
Avg Brix Harvest: 27.6
TA: .63
g/100ml
pH: 3.61
ALC: 15.1%
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