2010 Rodney Strong Zinfandel Knotty Vines

Community Tasting Notes (11) Avg Score: 88.1 points

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  2/12/2021 - The Drunken Cyclist Likes this wine: 93 Points

  Retail $25(?). I was knee deep in tasting samples and I was checking to see if I had any more Knotty Vines Wines (a relatively new brand from Rodney Strong) left in my samples pile. On that check of stock (I use Cellar Tracker now for all of my samples), I came across this wine. I entered it into CT in November of 2019 with the note "I have no idea how I got this wine." Truer words have yet to be spoken. I did not become "known_ to Rodney Strong until 2014 (at the *absolute* earliest) and this wine would have been likely long-gone by then. In 2019 I was (and am) living in Texas and while I did visit Rodney Strong that year, I doubt that they would have offered me this bottle (nor do I think that I came across it in a retail establishment here in Houston). So, how I came to acquire this wine is a mystery. What is clear, however? This wine is pretty fantastic. Initially, upon opening, it was a bit of a fruity mess. Sure, there was some structure there, but the over-arching theme was FRUIT--and yes, that surprised me to no end for a ten year-old wine. But. An hour or two after dinner, once the dishes had been done and the kids put to sleep, my wife suggested that we retire to the couch and watch some TV. Being that it was a rather chilly night and such an activity would result in (perhaps) some canoodling under a quilt, I assented. Thus, within moments, we were watching either Buffy of MMA--I could not tell the difference as my attention was, well, elsewhere. Soon (or later?) thereafter my wife requested wine. I grabbed this. Why? It. Was. Open. I poured us both a splash, hoping for *more* soon.
  
  I took a quick sip.
  
  And. Then. It. Happened.
  
  Whoa.
  
  Perhaps due to the time open? Or maybe my state of... *never*mind, this wine was absolutely singing. Holy Cow.
  
  Dark and slightly brooding in the glass, aromas of dark cherry, cassis, plum, dark earth, and, I have to admit, a bit of heat, leapt out of the glass. This was a completely different animal from just a few hours before (as my wife and I, coincidentally[?], had been sipping the wine and discussing my older son's college options). Rich, engaging, sensual--yes, I am talking about the wine (get your head out of the gutter), this wine had *completely* transformed from a fruity, even messy (albeit crowd-pleasing) typical "Cali Zin" to a layered, enchanting seductress. It would be easy to say that I was hammered (I wasn't--yet) but the truth is that this wine had completely evolved from crowd-pleaser to introspective inducer. I have been "around" wine for quite some time now but I doubt I have ever seen a transformation on this level prior. Whoa. Upon opening? 88 Points. Now? 93. Easy.
  
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  10/8/2020 - Terramare Likes this wine: 88 Points

  This Zin had more tannins than we are otherwise used to in a typical California Zin, but after settling down for a half hour after opening, it turned out quite nice.

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  8/3/2014 - rshumard wrote:

  - Crimsom color and aromas of violet and has flavours of black currant - Took it to Ted and Mary's for the PNM group dinner on Saturday evening, July 26, 2014. Everyone liked it.

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  4/1/2014 - cclarkt6 wrote:

  Small clusters of intensely flavored grapes aged in French and American Oak barrels. Full of vibrant raspberry jam, black pepper and a hint of clove spice.

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  12/30/2013 - Dich Oatley Likes this wine: 91 Points

  Winemaker Rick Sayre has shown great consistency in his 30 year tenure as chief winemaker at Rodney Strong. This Zinfandel is less over the top than its counterparts from Lodi. This means that there is a delightful balance of the warm rich fruits and its acidity. Highly recommended to try, and it is at the right price in my opinion.

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