Wine Enthusiast:   Rated as Excellent, extremely well made and highly recommended. ""Made in a leaner, drier, lighter style than most Russian River Pinots, but the elegance and complexity are very attractive. Shows a white pepper and herbal note to the sour cherry candy fruit, and is balanced with perfect acidity. A beautiful wine to accompany, not overwhelm, fine foods." Feb 2011

Winery:  "Supple in texture, with rose petal and red fruit aromas, this lively, medium bodied wine is aged entirely in small French oak barrels, which adds a subtle, toasty vanilla character and a hint of spice. Ideal for current enjoyment, this Pinot Noir will hold nicely over the next 2 to 4 years."

Wired For Wine:  "Ideal for current enjoyment."  That's all we need to know about this Rodney Strong Estate Vineyards Pinot Noir...  Uncork your first bottle and get everyone's attention with a platter of paper-thin slices of beef tenderloin topped with mustard-horseradish sauce, watercress and shaved Parmesan, on baguette slices.  This combination is the ideal appetite whetter.  The subtle pepper, spice and herb notes, hints of rose and red fruit, spot-on acidity and breath of toast will allow this Rodney Strong to pair with duck, salmon, lean meats and much more.  If it's a lunch or light meal you're looking for, then we suggest vitello tonnato, chilled slices of roasted veal loin with a tuna sauce enhanced by lemon juice and capers.  If you'd like to play up the fruit and floral side of this Russian River Valley Pinot, you'll love it with seared duck breast with red wine sauce and candied kumquat slices.  The classic pairing of salmon is beautiful with the elegant medium body of this California red.  Did you want yours with a sweet chili glaze or pink peppercorn tartar sauce?
No matter the choices you give during the meal, they will still want more.  Open another lean, supple bottle and offer it with a Portuguese Serra de Estrela cheese.  It's soft, gooey and mildly herbaceous, and perfect for the gentle zest of this pristine Pinot.  What are you waiting for, winelovers??

Bottle:  750ml, cork
Varietal:  96% Pinot Noir, 4% Syrah
Alcohol:  14.5%
Ageing:    6 months in 100% French oak barrels
Region:    Russian River Valley, Sonoma County, California