July's Featured Corks & Caps

Rodney Strong 2007 Chardonnay

Over the fall, winter and spring of this past year, I spent a lot of time enjoying big cabs, but the summer months call for great whites! This month I was introduced to Rodney Strong’s 2007 chardonnay. Rodney Strong offers a deliciously fresh 2007 white by the name of Chalk Hill.

In the past, I have disappointingly come across too many over-oaked and smoky chardonnays. Having never tried Rodney Strong’s Chalk Hill, I was caught off-guard and pleasantly surprised that this wine presented neither of these qualities. The glass pour is a pale yellow, and gives off a light and refreshing aroma. The nose boasts citrus and apple flavors followed by tart fresh melon flavors to taste. The finish is silky and has a nicely balanced oak flavor.

Rodney Strong offers this bottle at a reasonable price of $22, and is perfect for a summer get together or a light dinner.

A little history of the vineyard and 2007 vintage from the Rodney Strong Website:

In 1965, founder Rod Strong was the first to plant chardonnay in what would later be recognized as the Chalk Hill American Viticultural Area (AVA), established officially in 1983. He recognized the region as distinct from the rest of Russian River Valley for its unique chalky white soils, which impart a subtle mineral character to wines grown there.

The 2007 vintage started off with a very dry spring, which tended to make for smaller clusters, smaller berries, and less canopy overall. The growing season was about as perfect as you would want, with warm afternoons and cool evenings, and a complete lack of hot or cold spells. With no weather problems at harvest time, few are surprised with the exceptional quality of this vintage, which will likely go down as one of the best in recent years.

Barrel fermentation in new and seasoned French oak added toasty vanilla and spice complexities, and during 9 months of barrel ageing, we regularly stirred the “lees” in barrel, which gives a certain fullness and creamy texture on the palate. Encouraging malolactic fermentation added additional character, and in the glass the wine is both creamy and crisp, with abundant fruit character, mineral, and toasty oak flavors. Enjoy over the next 1-3 years.

Flying Dog Doggie Style Ale

It seems like “hops” are thrown in now-a-days like crazy … basically it comes down to how many hops can be squeezed into a 12oz bottle. Folks just keep pushing the limit.

Flying Dog So when I unpacked the “Doggie Style” Classic Pale Ale I was a little nervous about trying it … but it is part of my job, so in the fridge they went.

Ahh tasting day arrived … when poured the light copper color fills the glass and leaves a substantially thick, cream colored head and spotty lacing on the glass.

On the nose we found hops (big surprise there), some hints of citrus, pine and even some sweet malt scents. Overall the flavors all pointed towards the earthy side.

This medium bodied beer is very drinkable a showcases a slight malt and sweet finish. On the pallet the Doggie Style Classic Pale Ale offers enough of the hoppiness to satisfy most of the hop freaks, yet not overwhelming enough to scare away newbie’s to the world of Pale Ales.

Others have found the “Doggie Style” Pale Ale pretty tasty as well, and they have a little “bling” to prove it.

• 1991 Gold Medal Winner - Great American Beer Festival (Pale Ale Category)
• 1999 Silver Medal Winner - Great American Beer Festival (Classic English-style Pale Ale)

History
The Flying Dog Legend begins in 1983, and like every good legend there are several versions of this tale. The villains of the peace in this story are two non- conformist, 'not likely to take it lying down' ranchers named George Stranahan and Richard McIntyre. Read more at the Flying Dog web site www.flyingdogales.com.

Specs