During a recent twitter taste live (TTL) event, I had the pleasure of tasting a lineup of wines from Rodney Strong Vineyards. This winery has been around since ’59, which means they have had plenty of time to perfect their wine style and according to the winery, a long list of accomplishments. They were first to produce and release a Chalk Hill Chardonnay and the first to make a single-vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon in Sonoma County.

In ’89, the Klein family acquired ownership and really began to shape Rodney Strong’s sustainable direction—from farming practices, solar power and other green business practices. Then along came another first—Sonoma County’s first carbon neutral winery.

Following this path of sustainability, the twitter taste live event was a lead-in to Earth Day 2011, celebrating personal, organizational and corporate pledges to live and act sustainably. I have to give kudos to the taste live event organizers and Rodney Strong for providing the wine samples and putting on a good show. Now on to the reviews:

2009 Rodney Strong Charlotte’s Home Sauvignon Blanc, Estate Vineyard, Alexander Valley, CA

This is a light and crisp quaffer with flavors of pear and melon with a touch of minerality and zesty finish. Grilled asparagus works surprisingly well with the Sauvignon Blanc. 88,000 case production. Drink now.

Rating: 87 | $13 | 13.5%

2009 Rodney Strong “Chalk Hill” Chardonnay, CA

Creamy and luscious, this Chardonnay is spicy and toasty. It hits just the right notes of vanilla and butter without being obnoxious. It pairs beautifully with a smoked game hen (who knew?) with fingerling potatoes.

Rating: 88 | $20 | 13.5%

2007 Rodney Strong “Symmetry” Meritage, Alexander Valley, CA

If you like them tightly wound, rich and tannic, try this one on for size. This is a good blend primarily consisting of Cabernet Sauvignon with a dash of Malbec and a splash of Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. Enjoy the dried black fruits, cherries and dark chocolate flavors. It’s rich and full-bodied with a powerful cedar flavored finish. I’d recommend cellaring for a year or two but if you can’t wait, decant this puppy for an hour or more as the flavors evolve over time. Pairs magnificently with dry rub ribs. 5,500 case production. Drink through 2016.

Rating: 88 | $55 | 15.1% ABV

2008 Rodney Strong Pinot Noir Russian River Valley Reserve, CA
If I had to name this Pinot Noir after a soap opera, I’d call it the Bold and the Beautiful.  Don’t let the prettiness of the dusty nose fool you. Structured and balanced, it has the goods to deliver ripe and opulent dried cherry and raspberry flavors balanced with beautiful notes of mineral and toasty vanilla. For wine geeks, here is the clone breakdown: 46% 115, 46% 777, 8% 114. Drink now or cellar through 2015. The tannin structure might give it a few more years beyond that. On the downfall, if you are eco-friendly, the heavy bottle might deter you from purchase, but on the upside, Rodney Strong started to lower the glass weights on recent vintages. 2,600 case production.

Rating: 90 | $40 | 14.9%

Photo credit: frodelius.com

Editor’s note: A statement regarding Rodney Strong planting Pinot noir first in the Russian River was removed. According to John Haeger, in North American Pinot Noir (UC Press, 2004), the first well-documented were in the mid 1960′s with the Bacigalupis in 1965, then Rochioli in 1968.