Rodney Strong Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon Sonoma County 2014 750mL

COMMENTARY: I Have tasted nearly all of the Rodney Strong Reserve Cabernet Sauvignons, and I have been waiting for the wine to hit the proverbial "sweet" spot. No, this is not a sweet wine—like some producers are making these days by leaving somewhere between 3 to 10 grams of residual sugar. The 2014 Reserve Cabernet is excellent because it hits of the bases—ripeness, textures, and dryness. The winery should be proud of this wine; it may be the best Cabernet under $50 in the marketplace. TASTING NOTES: This wine shows up to play. Its aromas and flavors of blackberries, savory oak, and alluring spices should make it a delightful match with a grilled ribeye. (Tasted: November 14, 2018, San Francisco, CA)

From Sonoma County and a blend of 96% Cabernet Sauvignon, 3% Petit Verdot, and 1% Malbec, the 2014 Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve reveals a saturated purple/ruby color as well as a beautiful bouquet of crème de cassis, plums, cedary spice, tobacco, and bay leaf. It's medium-bodied, has a pure, polished, elegant style, no hard edges, and rock-solid balance. In short, it's a terrific Cabernet Sauvignon.

A high octane style with oak and intense black fruit on the nose. Shiny, posh and plush palate, with well-integrated oak and sweet ripe tannins.

The 2014 Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve is medium to deep garnet-purple in color and scented of crushed blackberries, wild blueberries and warm plums with touches of underbrush, bay leaves and tobacco leaf. Medium to full-bodied with an approachable frame of fine-grained tannins and lovely freshness, the palate reveals plenty of crunchy black fruits, finishing with great purity.

Juicy black cherry and blueberry wrap around big, expansive tannins in this hearty red that is sourced from several of the producer's best sites. With a backbone of structure and oak, it's toasty in character yet robustly fruity.