Iron Horse Chardonnays

Tasting notes & discussion 21

Typically $48 - $57/bottle from Iron Horse
Vintage 2021 & 2022 from the Green Valley of Russian River Valley
Either 1 Heart of the Vineyard and 3 Rued, or 4 Heart of the Vineyard and 8 Rued
Available for AL; AZ; CA; CO; CT; DC; FL; GA; IA; ID; IL; IN; KS; KY; LA; MA; MD; ME; MI; MN; MO; MT; NC; ND; NE; NH; NJ; NM; NV; NY; OH; OK; OR; PA; SC; SD; TN; TX; VA; VT; WA; WI; WV; WY
Sold by participating winery or licensee, fulfilled by Wine Country Connect

About Iron Horse: “Iron Horse is one of Sonoma County’s most prestigious, small, independent, estate, family owned wineries located in cool, foggy Green Valley. Iron Horse Sparkling Wines have been served at the White House for five consecutive presidential administrations, beginning with the Reagan-Gorbachev Summit Meeting in Geneva on November 20, 1985, which led to the end of the Cold War. Wine & Spirits Magazine has named Iron Horse Sparkling Winery of the Year nine times.”

Cool, But Rued

TASTING NOTES:
Heart of the Vineyard - “Sourced from our finest estate-grown Chardonnay blocks at the heart of the vineyard, this blend is beautifully balanced with a bright bouquet. Finely tuned and expressive, it showcases unique terroir-driven flavors and superb craftsman-ship.

The aroma carries inviting hints of sweet cream, mingling with the lively zest of key lime and the crisp sweetness of ripe pear. As it opens up, the wine reveals a well-rounded texture with soft, approachable tannins. Juicy stone fruit takes the lead on the palate, followed by subtle floral notes and a touch of tart pear in the mid-palate. A smooth, creamy finish lingers with a gentle hint of oak.” (AbV 13.5%, pH 3.25, TA 6.0 g/L, RS < 2.0 g/L)

Rued Clone - “The Rued Clone is a distinctive Chardonnay variety that thrives in Green Valley’s cool, fog-laced climate and renowned Gold Ridge soil. This ideal pairing yields a vibrant, floral-driven wine with crisp acidity, a luscious texture, and expressive stone fruit aromatics.

On the nose, delicate notes of honeysuckle, apple blossom, rose hips, grapefruit, peach, and warm spice unfold. The palate is gracefully balanced, revealing hints of muscat, red apple, and juicy peach. Vibrant acidity enhances its refined elegance.” (AbV 13.6%, pH 3.41, TA 5.17 g/L, RS < 2.0 g/L)

VARIETALS: All Chardonnay. Heart of the Vineyard is 80% Hyde Old Wente Chardonnay 20% Rued Chardonnay, Rued is 100% Rued Chardonnay.

BARRELS: French oak, the Heart of the Vineyard in 100% new.

PAIRS WITH: N/A

THAT REMINDS ME OF: Raphael, of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.

Wearing a red mask and wielding a pair of sai (three-pronged stabbing weapons), Raphael is the hot-head of the four brothers. While Leonardo, Donatello, and even Michelangelo have some level of restraint and level-headedness, Raphael is often driven by an aggression that seemingly can not fully be quelled. This leads him to butt heads with Leonardo’s even-keeled leadership and sometimes strikes it out on his own, doing some vigilante justice to help cool his head. He’s close to the human vigilante Casey Jones, once a rival, who shares his violent predisposition. Despite his bad attitude, which one might describe as “rude,” he genuinely cares about his family and wants to protect the innocent from those who would do them harm.

Iron Horse Chardonnays

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