Rodney Strong Rockaway Cabernet Sauvignon

Rodney Strong Rockaway Cabernet Sauvignon is a single-vineyard Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon bottled at approximately 14.5–15.4% ABV in a standard 750ml format. The 2019 vintage earned 94 points from Wine Enthusiast, and the 2010 vintage landed the same score from Wine Spectator, earning the #64 spot on their prestigious Top 100 Wines of 2013 list.

Quick Facts: ABV: ~14.5–15.4% (varies by vintage)  |  Origin: Alexander Valley, Sonoma County, California  |  Single Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon  |  Producer: Rodney Strong Vineyards

Production & Heritage

Rodney Strong Vineyards, founded in 1959 by former dancer and choreographer Rod Strong, holds the distinction of being one of the pioneering estate wineries in Sonoma County. The Rockaway vineyard climbs to elevations of 750 feet, where gravelly clay subsoil over fractured greywacke sandstone produces small-berried clusters ideal for concentrated, deeply structured Cabernet Sauvignon. The wine spends a full 24 months aging in new French oak barrels — a notably extended maturation compared to many Alexander Valley peers — before bottling.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Sweet cinnamon and crushed blackberries emerge first, followed by layers of cocoa, cassis, and mint. Swirling the glass opens up tobacco, leather, and earthy mineral tones from the vineyard's distinctive greywacke soils.

Taste: The entry is plush and concentrated, with vivid black cherry and blackberry fruit anchoring a juicy mid-palate. Cassis and black plum build toward waves of licorice and black pepper, while cedar and toasted coconut from the extended French oak aging add complexity. The structure is bold but well-balanced, with moderate, ripe tannins and a streak of raspberry-lemon acidity that keeps the wine focused.

Finish: Long and layered, with black pepper, brown baking spice, and dark plum lingering through a moderately tannic fade. Dried strawberry and subtle mineral notes surface as the finish slowly resolves.

How to Drink Rockaway Cabernet

A wine of this concentration and structure is best served at cellar temperature (60–65°F) and benefits from 30 to 60 minutes of decanting. Given the Rockaway's bold profile, it stands as a sipping wine rather than a cocktail component — pair it with rich dishes rather than mixing.

Best For

• Anchoring a Sonoma County vertical tasting alongside other Alexander Valley single-vineyard Cabernets
• Gifting a serious red wine collector who appreciates California vineyard-designated bottlings
• Pairing with a prime ribeye or braised short rib dinner
• Cellaring for medium-term aging of 5–10 years from vintage date

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Rockaway Cabernet taste like? The dominant profile centers on concentrated black cherry, blackberry, and cassis with supporting notes of cedar, cinnamon, cocoa, and black pepper. Extended French oak aging adds toasted coconut and vanilla undertones to a bold, moderately tannic structure.

How does Rockaway compare to Rodney Strong Alexander's Crown Cabernet? Both are single-vineyard Alexander Valley Cabernets from the same producer aged in French oak, but the Rockaway's higher-elevation site and greywacke sandstone soils tend to produce a more mineral-driven, deeply extracted wine, while Alexander's Crown typically shows a softer, more red-fruited character from its benchland location.

Is Rockaway Cabernet good for cellaring? Yes — the wine's concentrated fruit, firm tannin structure, and bright acidity give it strong aging potential, and past vintages have shown well with 5–10 years of bottle age, though it drinks richly upon release with decanting.

Where is Rockaway Cabernet made? It is produced by Rodney Strong Vineyards in Healdsburg, California, from a single vineyard in the Alexander Valley AVA of Sonoma County that rises to approximately 750 feet in elevation.

What foods pair well with Rockaway Cabernet? Grilled bone-in ribeye steak complements the wine's bold tannins and dark fruit. Braised lamb shanks with rosemary echo its earthy, herbal undertones. Aged cheddar or Gruyère match the wine's intensity without overwhelming it. Dark chocolate desserts bridge nicely with the cocoa and cassis notes, while mushroom risotto draws out the mineral and leather nuances.

What sizes does Rockaway Cabernet come in? The standard release is a 750ml bottle.

Is Rockaway Cabernet worth the price? The Rockaway positions as a premium single-vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon, sitting at the upper tier of the Rodney Strong portfolio alongside Alexander's Crown and Brothers Ridge. With consistent scores of 92–94 points from major critics and a Wine Spectator Top 100 placement, it competes favorably against similarly priced Alexander Valley vineyard designates.

Why Rockaway Cabernet?

The Rockaway bottling stands apart within Rodney Strong's lineup because of its specific terroir story: a high-elevation vineyard planted on fractured greywacke sandstone that naturally restricts yields and intensifies flavor concentration. That geological signature, combined with a full 24 months in new French oak, produces a wine with uncommon depth for Alexander Valley. Critics have validated this approach repeatedly — the 94-point Wine Spectator score and Top 100 placement for the 2010 vintage, the 94-point Wine Enthusiast rating for the 2019, and the American Fine Wine Competition Best of Show for 2019 all reinforce its standing among Sonoma County's most serious vineyard-designated Cabernets.