Rodney Strong Sauvignon Blanc Alexander Valley 2024

The Data

Country USA

Appellation Alexander Valley

Varietal Sauvignon Blanc

Retail Price $25

ABV 13.5%

Score 4 Stars/90 points

In the Glass

Appearance

Brilliant, light straw color.

Aromatics

The nose is moderately intense, offering scents of apricot stone, spring flowers, and star fruit with supporting notes of orange peel, lemon curd, and jasmine.

Flavor

The palate confirms the nose delivering a ripe orchard fruits-driven core with flavors of white peach, kiwi, kumquat, and quince. The finish is long and lingering.

Intensity & Texture

Medium-bodied and nicely balanced with a supple texture.

Cool Factor

At BevX, we love Sauvignon Blanc in its many forms. We are impressed by the unique vision and the skill to execute a wine of this caliber.

Value Grade

Superb fruit and deft winemaking conspire to create a wine with style and charm. It is a value among its peers.

Analysis

Rodney Strong has crafted a Sauvignon Blanc for those who appreciate this exceptional varietal and prefer softer, rounder textures in their white wines. The grapes come from their esteemed Alexander Valley (Sonoma County) vineyards, where they have been cultivating classic Bordeaux varietals since the mid-1980s. The warm climate, combined with cooling ocean breezes, creates an ideal environment for Sauvignon Blanc and Cabernet Sauvignon. This supple wine was skillfully made using three fermentation methods. The majority (63%) was fermented in new 400-liter French oak barrels (85% new), while 36% was fermented in stainless steel, and the remaining wine was produced in a ceramic egg. This winemaking technique softens the varietal’s more angular citrus notes, while the wine’s naturally low pH and generous acidity preserve a crisp and fresh mouthfeel.

How to Enjoy

This wine is versatile and food-friendly, pairing well as an aperitif while complementing fish and fowl with fresh citrus flavors.