Today's featured wine:Domaine Roger Perrin Chateauneuf-du-Pape 2004

Rodney Strong 2003 Sonoma County Cabernet Sauvignon

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2003

Avg. Rating: 82.8/100 (9 Reviews)
Winery: Rodney Strong
Vintage: 2003
Varietal: Cabernet Sauvignon
Country: United States
Region: California
Retail Price: $$ 19.99 USD
Created by: Bill Zeller
Purchase: Buy this wine ›

Aromas of blackberry, cocoa, and cedar lead to a rich, layered mouthfeel, replete with black cherry, vanilla, and cassis, and structured with lush, mature tannins. Enjoy this seductive cabernet sauvignon now and over the next several years. Over thirty years ago Rod Strong observed that the cool, foggy nights that regularly enshrouded the winery, though crucial in the ripening process of fine pinot noir and chardonnay, were not ideal for growing cabernet sauvignon. For that, Rod would have to look north, to the Alexander Valley, where the days are warmer and the strong influence of the cool Pacific Ocean is diminished. Today we farm over 250 acres of prime cabernet sauvignon in the well drained alluvial and volcanic soils on the benches and hillsides of the celebrated Alexander Valley. The 2003 vintage will go down as a classic year for juicy, ripe fruit flavors thanks to an especially nice, warm growing season. We fermented this wine on its skins for an average of eight days, and barrel aged it for sixteen months in French and American oak barrels. * 90 POINTS, Editor's Choice, Wine Enthusiast, December 2006 * 90 POINTS, GOLD - Top 10 under $20, Chicago Value Wine Challenge, World Wine Championships 2006 * Critics GOLD - Critics Challenge International Wine Competition 2006 * 90 POINTS, SILVER - California State Fair Wine Competition 2006 * GOOD/VERY GOOD - Wall Street Journal, May 10, 2006 * 90 POINTS - Wine Enthusiast, October 2006

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Tasting Notes from Cork’d Members

Rodney Strong 2003 Sonoma County Cabernet Sauvignon
(about 1 year ago) buddy icon opc 75.0/100
Aroma is sharp, unbalanced, and over-ripe with very overpowering alcohol. Lacks complexity, mildly watery with a very dry chalk finish. The colour is very nice, but unfortunately I can't taste colours. Certainly not worth $20 a bottle. There are much better wines in this price range.

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Rodney Strong 2003 Sonoma County Cabernet Sauvignon
(about 1 year ago) buddy icon kylegross 82.0/100
really enjoyed this wine. spicier than some cab's, but great flavour and long finish.

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Rodney Strong 2003 Sonoma County Cabernet Sauvignon
(about 1 year ago) buddy icon sarah2397 82.0/100
Aroma of vanilla, pepper & berry. Dry with meduim tartness & smoke. First sip was so-so and then really grew on me after a few more sips.

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Rodney Strong 2003 Sonoma County Cabernet Sauvignon
(about 1 year ago) buddy icon geespot 81.0/100
I was lucky enough to find this bottle on sale for 11.99, because I would have been kicking myself if I had paid anymore. Ok the color is great, but wine makers have figured out how to cheat on that. The nose is disjointed, lot of alcohol, some cocoa and cherry notes but you can feel the burn in the back of your throat when you take a big whiff. With first sip you are greeted with a rather watery sensation on your tongue, the tannins are slightly over powered for the weak fruit. The finish is overly dry and I get a cough-medicine type artificial cherry flavor that is rather off putting. Actually, the Robert Mondavi Private Selection 2005 Cab Sauv is a substantially better wine, that is actually priced at 12$, even though I would not recommend that anybody really drinks either of these. The one saving grace of this wine is actually the mid-palate, not because it's good, but because it's not awful and you can actually taste the fruit before the medicine taste takes over. I don't see where the critics get off giving this a 90.

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Rodney Strong 2003 Sonoma County Cabernet Sauvignon
(about 1 year ago) buddy icon nietzschephilosopher 87.0/100
Earthy and oaky with a little olive and dried cherry. Finish is short but clean. This is a food wine, but a good one.

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Rodney Strong 2003 Sonoma County Cabernet Sauvignon
(about 1 year ago) buddy icon kappakus2 81.0/100
The bouquet was very strong and the alcohol was intense.I do not recommend this wine.

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Rodney Strong 2003 Sonoma County Cabernet Sauvignon
(about 1 year ago) buddy icon wanderingfoodie 84.0/100

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Rodney Strong 2003 Sonoma County Cabernet Sauvignon
(about 1 year ago) buddy icon freshz 94.0/100

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Rodney Strong 2003 Sonoma County Cabernet Sauvignon
(11 months ago) buddy icon glavin 79.0/100
Astringent... We have had several cabs at a lower price point that would blow this one out of the water.

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