I’ve been a fan of wines from Rodney Strong Vineyards for years. Offering choices in a range of price points and styles, there’s a wine for every budget and palate. After tasting two delicious wines (sent as samples) under Rodney Strong’s UPSHOT label, that point was proved yet again – each selection was an affordable $19. In essence, when you need a wine with an outstanding quality to price ratio, find UPSHOT Wines.
Naturally, I’m not surprised that wines under the UPSHOT label would deliver all we need. Rodney Strong Vineyards is an iconic Sonoma County winery that continues to garner accolades. As recipient of Wine Enthusiast Magazine’s American Winery of the Year Award in 2013, Rodney Strong was recognized for its “commitment to quality, luxury and Sonoma County.” With UPSHOT wines, Justin Seidenfeld, Winemaker, shows his passion for “blending flavorful, approachable, deeply nuanced and unique wines from Rodney Strong Vineyards in Sonoma County and beyond.”
The UPSHOT 2019 White Blend California is a refreshing and snappy blend of Grenache Blanc, “white” Pinot Noir, Gewurztraminer, Viognier and a bit of Sauvignon Blanc. Aromas of white florals, stone fruit such as peach and apricot and minerality led to flavors of tropical fruit, spice, ripe melon, and sensation of minerality. A flavorful pairing will be Korean Chicken Wings with its ingredients of honey, soy sauce, ginger and garlic. Wow!
Sipped with Arugula Salad with Cornbread Croutons and BBQ Vinaigrette, the UPSHOT 2018 Red Blend Sonoma County was a lip smacking blend of Zinfandel, Merlot, Malbec, Petit Verdot and Riesling made from 100% Sonoma County fruit, predominantly from Alexander Valley and Knights Valley. Ever so balanced with aromas of spice, herbs, and violets, I noted flavors of earth, moss, herbs, rich dark cherries, and fresh blackberries framed with lush tannins and food friendly acidity.
Each label clearly and concisely identifies core winemaking facts such as the varieties in the blend, time in barrel, specifications, name of the appellation, vintage, alcohol content, and dates harvest began and ended. What I also love is the circular calendar that’s a snapshot of the timing and duration of the venture from harvest at the vineyard to blending to bottle release. Apparently, I’m not the only wine lover who’s enthralled with these labels. The 2015 UPSHOT Sonoma County Red Wine label was the Label Sweepstakes Winner at the 2018 San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition.
It’s time to pour a few glasses of UPSHOT Wines and start the conversation!
Cheers! ~ Cindy
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