Last year I tasted the 2015 Rowen Wine Co. Red and I loved it!  We bought some and sold a bit, but a recent revisit of this amazing wine put it on my radar for Father’s Day.

Rowen is a second project for the Rodney Strong Winery, the wines come from the Cooley Ranch Vineyard in the Northern most part of Sonoma.  High elevation and a long cool growing season create grapes here that thrive on the steep terrain and volcanic soils.  Cooley is above the famous “fogline” that we hear about so often in Sonoma vineyards, keeping the grapes cool so they mature slowly is a great process and creates wines of balance and richness.  I often compare the differences in climates wines are grown in to cooking beef- the sizzle and chew of a fast-cooked steak on the grill is so satisfying, but the complexity and richness of a roast or short ribs that were braised all day developing flavor can be otherworldly.  Rowen is grown slowly and produced with great care.

Wines like this bring great joy to me, there is ample ripeness, but also very good balance.  This is just the wine to pair with the aforementioned grilled steak on Father’s Day, the complexity of this wine is revealed beautifully with a meal, the wine also has significant tannin which offsets the blood and fat of a grilled steak, and lingering with this wine for a few hours is a great experience.

“The 2015 ROWEN red blend is a lush and elegant wine consisting of wonderful high elevation, mountain fruit. The wine has aromas of black raspberries, cocoa and black pepper. On the palate, the wine is balanced and structured from the Cabernet Sauvignon with notes of blackberries, cassis, nutmeg and vanilla. Co-fermenting the Syrah with the Viognier is a classic Northern Rhone technique which adds an exotic floral element to the finished wine as well as a rounder mouthfeel. Enjoy this wine now with sharp cheeses and charcuterie, braised lamb shanks, grilled filet mignon or cellar for enjoyment for years to come,” Justin Seidenfeld, Rowen Winemaker

“The 2015 Red Wine is an intriguing blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec, Syrah and Viognier. Bold and punchy, it offers plenty of immediacy. A rush of super-ripe red cherry, plum, rose petal, spice, white chocolate, hard candy and mint builds in the glass. Plush and enveloping, with soft curves, the 2015 is sure to be a crowd-pleaser.  92 points.”  Antonio Galloni, Vinous Media.

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$49.99
750ml

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