The 2023 vintage opens with aromas of juicy red apple, lychee, dried stone fruit, and subtle tropical notes. On the palate, bright citrus leads into succulent ripe pear and stone fruit, carried by vibrant acidity throughout, with a hint of pear rounding out the finish. The wine concludes with a refined, sophisticated elegance that lingers beautifully.
This Estate Grown Chardonnay, formerly known as “UnOaked,” captivates with its signature clarity and vibrancy. Fans will recognize the pure expression of Green Valley’s cool and foggy microclimate, with crisp acidity and bright, refreshing flavors that celebrate the elegance and finesse of our beautiful estate. The crystalline character of 2023 places it among the most compelling Chardonnays we have ever made.
Specs
Vintage: 2023
Blend: 55% Rued Clone Chardonnay and 45% Hyde Old Wente Chardonnay
Appellation: Green Valley of Russian River Valley, Sonoma County
Harvest Dates: September 29 - October 4, 2023
Malolactic Fermentation: None
Barrels: None
Date Bottled: August 1, 2024
Alcohol: 13.9%
Acidity: 6.5 g/L
Residual Sugar: <2.0 g/L
pH: 3.25
Total Production: 985 Cases
What’s Included
6-bottles:
6x - 2023 Iron Horse Chardonnay (Formerly Unoaked), Russian River Valley
Case:
12x - 2023 Iron Horse Chardonnay (Formerly Unoaked), Russian River Valley
In the Lunar calendar, 2026 is the Year of the Horse, a fitting and fortunate alignment as Iron Horse celebrates its 50th Anniversary.
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. From the beginning, Robert Parker has said, “These impressive Sparkling Wines…possess more texture and flavor than just about any sparkler I have tasted from California.”
Available States
AL, AZ, CA, CO, CT, DC, FL, GA, ID, IL, IN, IA, KS, KY, LA, ME, MD, MA, MI, MN, MO, MT, NE, NV, NH, NJ, NM, NY, NC, ND, OH, OK, OR, PA, SC, SD, TN, TX, VT, VA, WA, WV, WI, WY
Tonight I got the opportunity to rat a wine formerly known as “UnOaked” AKA Iron Horse 2023 Estate Chardonnay. I adore the surprise rattage, especially the beautiful ones where there’s no controversy. We had planned to head down to the Sonoma Plaza for the Tuesday Night Market, so I thought let’s go crazy. We loaded the wine up with our picnic and hopped into the little red corvette to go into town.
Every Tuesday night from June through September it seems like the whiole town comes to the Plaza to party like it’s 1999. The wine formerly known as “UnOaked” was perfect. In the glass, u got the look of pale straw with light aromatics (although the picnic glass wasn’t an ideal tester). Were those bubbles?
On the nose, citrus, tree fruit, brioche and hints of stone and salinity. An easy and generous entry offered bright acidity and lovely lemon curd and pear on the palate with a subtle pop life effervescence. Cream, I thought, but not buttery, as the smooth fruity finish lingered.
A picnic of BBQ chicken salad with olives and cherry tomatoes was already planned and the wine formerly known as “UnOaked” paired well. Bright acidity stood up to pickles and olives, complemented chips and the smooth creamy citrus and tree fruit had the salad thinking I would die 4 u.
Having a little fun here, but a really solid wine. Full, smooth and balanced with great fruit and mineral. Not a big Chard, but a big tasting Chard. Interesting bit of secondary fermentation perhaps with the effervescence? I actually found it quite pleasant. It could have just been my bottle? Iron Horse is well known at Casemates, and this one won’t disappoint. Cheers!
Iron Horse Chardonnay (Formerly Unoaked)
2023 Iron Horse Chardonnay (Formerly Unoaked), Russian River Valley
95 points - JamesSuckling.com.
Tasting Notes
Specs
What’s Included
6-bottles:
Case:
Price Comparison
$384/Case of 12x - 2023 Iron Horse Chardonnay (Formerly Unoaked), Russian River Valley at Iron Horse Vineyards
About The Winery
Available States
AL, AZ, CA, CO, CT, DC, FL, GA, ID, IL, IN, IA, KS, KY, LA, ME, MD, MA, MI, MN, MO, MT, NE, NV, NH, NJ, NM, NY, NC, ND, OH, OK, OR, PA, SC, SD, TN, TX, VT, VA, WA, WV, WI, WY
Estimated Delivery
Monday, Jul 27 - Tuesday, Jul 28
2023 Iron Horse Chardonnay
6 bottles for $104.99 $17.50/bottle + $1.33/bottle shipping
Case of 12 for $179.99 $15/bottle + $1/bottle shipping
Tonight I got the opportunity to rat a wine formerly known as “UnOaked” AKA Iron Horse 2023 Estate Chardonnay. I adore the surprise rattage, especially the beautiful ones where there’s no controversy. We had planned to head down to the Sonoma Plaza for the Tuesday Night Market, so I thought let’s go crazy. We loaded the wine up with our picnic and hopped into the little red corvette to go into town.
Every Tuesday night from June through September it seems like the whiole town comes to the Plaza to party like it’s 1999. The wine formerly known as “UnOaked” was perfect. In the glass, u got the look of pale straw with light aromatics (although the picnic glass wasn’t an ideal tester). Were those bubbles?
On the nose, citrus, tree fruit, brioche and hints of stone and salinity. An easy and generous entry offered bright acidity and lovely lemon curd and pear on the palate with a subtle pop life effervescence. Cream, I thought, but not buttery, as the smooth fruity finish lingered.
A picnic of BBQ chicken salad with olives and cherry tomatoes was already planned and the wine formerly known as “UnOaked” paired well. Bright acidity stood up to pickles and olives, complemented chips and the smooth creamy citrus and tree fruit had the salad thinking I would die 4 u.
Having a little fun here, but a really solid wine. Full, smooth and balanced with great fruit and mineral. Not a big Chard, but a big tasting Chard. Interesting bit of secondary fermentation perhaps with the effervescence? I actually found it quite pleasant. It could have just been my bottle? Iron Horse is well known at Casemates, and this one won’t disappoint. Cheers!
So if this is now labeled estate, then what’s the Chardonnay formerly known as Estate that spent some time in oak?
Auto-buy for me…in for 2 cases
@TimW
/giphy simple-weak-kangaroo