07 Apr Please The Palate Wine of the Week: Rodney Strong 2016 Symmetry Alexander Valley

Finding balance in life is a challenge. And when a winemaker blends different grapes together, they are looking for balance, or symmetry. That is the goal of the Rodney Strong 2016 Symmetry Meritage Red Blend, the Please The Palate wine of the week.

Rodney Strong Vineyards was established in 1959 by dancer Rod Strong and purchased by the Klein family in 1989. They own 12 estate vineyards in Sonoma Country and have a long-term lease on the Cooley ranch, a 20,000 acre property north of Dry Creek Valley. Director of Winemaking Justin Seidenfeld makes a variety of different wines under Rodney Strong. With the Symmetry Red Meritage, the goal is to make a blended wine that captures the essence of the fruit from the Alexander Valley.

The 2016 Symmetry Alexander Valley is a blend of 70% Cabernet Sauvignon, 9% Merlot, 8% Malbec, 8% Cabernet Franc, and 5% Petit Verdot. Made in small lots, the grapes undergo cluster pre-sorting and berry sorting. After an extended maceration, the wines are fermented and aged for 24 months in French oak barrels, of which 55% are new.

The 2016 Symmetry Alexander Valley is a deep purple color. It is lush and luxurious with notes of dark red and black fruits, plum, baking spices, oak, cocoa powder, and vanilla. On the palate, the wine is medium-bodied. The fruit notes first hit the palate, followed by acidity. The wine has a lot of depth and a long, smooth finish. This is a young wine that needs time to breath, or lay it down for a few more years. But, when you open it, enjoy it with something rich like braised short ribs.

The Rodney Strong 2016 Symmetry Alexander Valley retails for $55.