Rodney Strong, Alexander Valley (Sonoma County, California) Meritage 2010

As high-spirited and tautly muscular as a promising race horse, Symmetry gallops across the taste buds with energy and power.  It’s loaded with juicy ripe fruit, alcohol (15.5%), and tannins, but all these elements are reined in–in, well, symmetric, fashion, with everything balanced and cohesive.  If you’re impatient to drink the wine, or if you particularly appreciate the energetic vigor of young Meritage, you should drink the wine now and enjoy every sip.  Alternatively, lay it down to mellow for a few months or a couple of years and it will surely (to prolong the equine metaphor) be headed for the winners’ circle.