The Deer Gate Block is on your right as you drive up the oak-lined road and cross the cattle guard on your way to the winery. It expresses the ripest fruit on the estate and yet displays restraint and elegance. Light-bodied yet complex. Dark cherry color. By nose, savory roasting herbs, plum, and preserved cherries. By mouth, ripe plum, savory roasting herbs, and mulberry. Delicious with roast duck and anything to do with mushrooms.
Hand-picked from a single 7.3 block and a single clone (828) the grapes are de-stemmed into small open-top half-ton macro bin fermenters or into stainless steel tanks where they are cold-soaked (using dry ice) for four to seven days. Before fermentation is complete, the new wine is gently pressed from the skins and transferred to French oak barrels. Fermentation then goes to completion in the barrels, allowing us to stir the lees as the wine goes through malo-lactic fermentation.
Specs
Vintage: 2018
Varietal: 100% Pinot Noir
Appellation: Green Valley of Russian River Valley, Sonoma County
Malolactic Fermentation: 100%
Barrels: 3-year-old 100% French oak.
Barrel Aged: 10 Months
Harvest Dates: September 13, 2018
Date Bottled: July 16, 2019
Release Date: July 2021
Alcohol: 14.6% v/v
pH: 3.51
Acidity: 5.08 g/L
Residual Sugar: <0.2 g/100ml
Total Production: 645 Cases
2018 Iron Horse Vineyards Winery Block Pinot Noir
Tasting Notes
The Winery Block is four acres at the crest of the knoll below the winery, right there at the tasting room, spilling out at your feet. 2018 is a great vintage. It captures a sense of our cool fog and firm tannins from our Gold Ridge soil. Very complex with a deep ruby-red color. By nose, toasted oak, plum compote, and car-damom. By mouth, blackberry, plum with soft, but supportive tannins.
Hand-picked and of a single clone, (Pommard 5) the grapes are de-stemmed into stainless steel tanks where they are cold-soaked (using dry ice) for four to seven days. Before fermentation is complete, the new wine is gently pressed from the skins and transferred to French oak barrels. Fermentation then goes to completion in the barrels, allowing us to stir the lees as the wine goes through malolactic fermentation.
Specs
Vintage: 2018
Varietal: 100% Pinot Noir
Appellation: Green Valley of Russian River Valley, Sonoma County
Malolactic Fermentation: 100%
Barrels: Average age of barrels 3 years, 100% French oak from central France. Barrel Aged: 9 Months
Harvest Dates: September 1-2, 2018
Date Bottled: July 30, 2019
Release Date: August 2021
Alcohol: 13.9% v/v
pH: 3.58
Acidity: 5.5 g/L
Residual Sugar: <0.2 g/100ml
Total Production: 620 Cases
What’s Included
2-bottles:
1x 2018 Iron Horse Vineyards Deer Gate Pinot Noir
1x 2018 Iron Horse Vineyards Winery Block Pinot Noir
Case:
6x 2018 Iron Horse Vineyards Deer Gate Pinot Noir
6x 2018 Iron Horse Vineyards Winery Block Pinot Noir
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 six 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.”
The founding partners, Audrey and Barry Sterling first saw our property in the pouring rain in February 1976. Driving down Ross Station Road, they were sure they were lost until they crested the knoll and viewed 300 acres of gentle rolling hills, that looked like Camelot. Incurable romantics with extraordinary vision, they bought the property in just two weeks. The story of Iron Horse is all about their vision.
Available States
AZ, CA, CO, CT, DC, FL, GA, ID, IL, IN, IA, KS, LA, ME, MD, MA, MI, MN, MO, MT, NE, NV, NH, NJ, NM, NY, NC, ND, OH, OK, OR, PA, RI, SC, SD, TN, TX, VT, VA, WA, WV, WI, WY
How much more are you saving by buying a full case?
(Note: tax and shipping are not included in savings calculations).
2018 Iron Horse High End Pinot Noir Mix - $70 = 13.72%
I’m the rat here!
Having issue with internet on laptop (traveling) but will be posting a better written rewiew soon (typing this on a phone).
This just to guide the lostest among you, waking up to an unusually expensive casemates.
Gorgeous pinot noir, super classic Sonoma PN I’d say. Bright and low acid, medium to light body and yet with a medium persistence. Gorgeous bottle as well. People can tell you splurged on this.
Nose: pomegranate, tart cherries, cranberries. A hint of leather, some pepper/nutmeg in there.
Mouth: read above. This is a what-you-smell-is-what-you-get (WYSIWYG) wine. I’d add that the spice is a bit more present (like, allspice maybe?). Very low acidity, low tannins, very little wood detectable. Mouth persistence medium.
This is what we learned to expect from a North Cali PN. Solid. Good.
Expensive? You bet.
What a pleasant surprise! An email from Alice asking if I might have time for a bit of post-Turkey Day rattage. I accepted, of course, almost before she’d hit the “Send” button.
Even more pleasant was to see that it was an Iron Horse Pinot Noir (Deer Gate), which is not a label oft found in my budget. Received on Wednesday; cellared overnight. Initial serving temp was 63 degrees. A nicely branded, natural cork that yielded to my ah-so opener with a pleasant “pop”. And having popped, on to pouring.
Being partially color blind, I can only describe the color as “red” - but a light hue, with very nice clarity. Light to medium legs for you leg people. A light sense of dark cherry in the nose, which followed up in the tasting. Very smooth, light tannins, dancing on the front of the tongue rather than gripping around the sides. A bit of violet, a bit of plum with baking spice, brambles and leather coming out in the finish.
[What does a bramble taste like? Sorta like a buzz.]
A somewhat surprising (and appreciated) lack of alcohol presence in either the nose or the taste, belying its 14.5% ABV.
Dinner was my first stab at cooking a prime rib sous vide (ten hours at 133 degrees, delish!) along with lightly seared, sesame encrusted tuna that my brother hauled out of the ocean a week ago. Also delish, and the wine went along splendidly with each.
I’m thinking of a pork roast for the next bottle, but I wouldn’t go with any heavier fare.
Quite light in body and oh so drinkable, the bottle level dropped at an alarming rate and it was only through sheer will power that I held on to a short glass for any questions that might drift by today.
My only regret was in looking at the list price, and reckoning that I’d have to pass - but that coupon offer knocked me right off the rail.
Thanks to the Alice and the CM team, and a happy Day-After-Thanksgiving to one and all.
Here’s the full review!
Sorry for the delay: I couldn’t get the laptop to connect to the local wifi
Casemates
LabRat for Iron Horse Vineyards – Winery Block Pinot Noir – 2018
Nice bottle, elegant burgundy bottle with black and copper label. Very nice presentation. Cork is made of cork, and foil cover (also copper color). It looks and feel like an expensive bottle: if you bring it to a fancy party it will hold the idea you spent some money on it.
Pop & Pour
Opened this at our room temperature, which was clearly too warm (at around 73: Thanksgiving cooking going!), at 2pm. Nice cork. Nice foil.
Color: very light, I’d say typical Pinot Noir garnet, but on the light side. Swirling the arches keep some time, but this is clearly not a very alcoholic wine (although it doesn’t specify on the bottle).
[13.9% on that back label bottle shot]
Nose: I smelled unripe cherries, pomegranate, slight leather, and a hint of nutmeg. My partner smelled pomegranate, raspberries, and a hint of cinnamon. There is some sort of spiciness to it, even though we couldn’t precisely point the finger to which one.
Mouth: pomegranate, bright cherries (those light red cherries, smaller), cranberries. Light tannins present, a slight leather and some spices (all spice?). On the tart side, but somewhat round.
This is a wine that you can pop and pour without too much trouble. It opens fast and it is a good, what-I-would-expect-from-a-Cali-PN Pinot Noir. It has character even if it is light, low acidity, and medium body. Totally decent and pleasant.
After four hours and a bit of chilling:
I popped the wine in the fridge and served at around 55-60.
It didn’t change much.
Nose: still pomegranate and tart cherries. A hint of grass now. A taster mentioned pepper (and/or peppery smell).
Mouth: cherries (tart and light red cherries, slightly unripe), more spices present (pepper, this time, more accentuated) but also allspice and a hint of vanilla. Quite low on tannins, and low on wood. Light to medium body; little acidity; short to medium persistence on the mount. One tester described it as playful on the tongue and rounded.
Overall, a very good, classic North California Pinot Noir, French style. A bit tart but not acidic; rounded and yet refreshing. Medium to light body (it was a perfect combo with the turkey; not much with the heavier stuffings and side dishes); short to medium persistence.
We thought of a high street price of around 45 to 65$. Casemates price could easily be at around 25$ This is a bit embarrassing, and I get why this wine is this expensive. Still, it’s definitely a great wine, and those who love this winery and style will love the product and presentation. It is a steep price for me, since I’m a cheapo
2018 Iron Horse Vineyards Deer Gate Pinot Noir
Tasting Notes
Specs
2018 Iron Horse Vineyards Winery Block Pinot Noir
Tasting Notes
Specs
What’s Included
2-bottles:
Case:
Price Comparison
Not for sale online, $1,044/case MSRP
About The Winery
Available States
AZ, CA, CO, CT, DC, FL, GA, ID, IL, IN, IA, KS, LA, ME, MD, MA, MI, MN, MO, MT, NE, NV, NH, NJ, NM, NY, NC, ND, OH, OK, OR, PA, RI, SC, SD, TN, TX, VT, VA, WA, WV, WI, WY
Estimated Delivery
Monday, Dec 19 - Thursday, Dec 22
How do these compare to the 2017?
autobuy even without the $25 Casemates coupon. As a Pinot Noir fan, would love to have ratted this!
/giphy vulgar-winning-cooler
Does the 2 pack come with the $25 coupon?
@bwnance
How much more are you saving by buying a full case?
(Note: tax and shipping are not included in savings calculations).
2018 Iron Horse High End Pinot Noir Mix - $70 = 13.72%
Iron Horse High End Pinot Noir Mix
2 bottles for $84.99 $42.50/bottle + $4/bottle shipping
Case of 12 for $439.99 $36.67/bottle + $1/bottle shipping
2018 Iron Horse Vineyards Deer Gate Pinot Noir
2018 Iron Horse Vineyards Winery Block Pinot Noir
@winedavid
Thanks - upstanding-funny-relation
In for two cases! Can’t miss this great opportunity!
Winery Block
I’m the rat here!
Having issue with internet on laptop (traveling) but will be posting a better written rewiew soon (typing this on a phone).
This just to guide the lostest among you, waking up to an unusually expensive casemates.
Gorgeous pinot noir, super classic Sonoma PN I’d say. Bright and low acid, medium to light body and yet with a medium persistence. Gorgeous bottle as well. People can tell you splurged on this.
Nose: pomegranate, tart cherries, cranberries. A hint of leather, some pepper/nutmeg in there.
Mouth: read above. This is a what-you-smell-is-what-you-get (WYSIWYG) wine. I’d add that the spice is a bit more present (like, allspice maybe?). Very low acidity, low tannins, very little wood detectable. Mouth persistence medium.
This is what we learned to expect from a North Cali PN. Solid. Good.
Expensive? You bet.
@salpo this is for the Winery Block!
@salpo which one?
@rjquillin Winery Block
Had a Deer Gate with Thanksgiving yesterday, was drinking wonderfully. So funny to see it on Casemates today
Why not - in for a case
I love this stuff and the case price is too good. Mashed the button and not looking back
This is an rpmAUTOBUY to the greatest extent of your wallet and perhaps a bit beyond…. In for a box!
Anybody in CMH want to split?
What a pleasant surprise! An email from Alice asking if I might have time for a bit of post-Turkey Day rattage. I accepted, of course, almost before she’d hit the “Send” button.
Even more pleasant was to see that it was an Iron Horse Pinot Noir (Deer Gate), which is not a label oft found in my budget. Received on Wednesday; cellared overnight. Initial serving temp was 63 degrees. A nicely branded, natural cork that yielded to my ah-so opener with a pleasant “pop”. And having popped, on to pouring.
Being partially color blind, I can only describe the color as “red” - but a light hue, with very nice clarity. Light to medium legs for you leg people. A light sense of dark cherry in the nose, which followed up in the tasting. Very smooth, light tannins, dancing on the front of the tongue rather than gripping around the sides. A bit of violet, a bit of plum with baking spice, brambles and leather coming out in the finish.
[What does a bramble taste like? Sorta like a buzz.]
A somewhat surprising (and appreciated) lack of alcohol presence in either the nose or the taste, belying its 14.5% ABV.
Dinner was my first stab at cooking a prime rib sous vide (ten hours at 133 degrees, delish!) along with lightly seared, sesame encrusted tuna that my brother hauled out of the ocean a week ago. Also delish, and the wine went along splendidly with each.
I’m thinking of a pork roast for the next bottle, but I wouldn’t go with any heavier fare.
Quite light in body and oh so drinkable, the bottle level dropped at an alarming rate and it was only through sheer will power that I held on to a short glass for any questions that might drift by today.
My only regret was in looking at the list price, and reckoning that I’d have to pass - but that coupon offer knocked me right off the rail.
Thanks to the Alice and the CM team, and a happy Day-After-Thanksgiving to one and all.
/giphy husky-magnificent-eel
@rpstrong what is this coupon offer I’ve seen mentioned a couple times now?
@klezman
Front page: $25 Casemates Gift Coupon included
@CObrent @klezman On any order? Or just cases?
@CObrent @klezman @wnance @Winedavid49 Good question, doesn’t specify so would think both, however…
Here’s the full review!
Sorry for the delay: I couldn’t get the laptop to connect to the local wifi
Casemates
LabRat for Iron Horse Vineyards – Winery Block Pinot Noir – 2018
Nice bottle, elegant burgundy bottle with black and copper label. Very nice presentation. Cork is made of cork, and foil cover (also copper color). It looks and feel like an expensive bottle: if you bring it to a fancy party it will hold the idea you spent some money on it.
Pop & Pour
Opened this at our room temperature, which was clearly too warm (at around 73: Thanksgiving cooking going!), at 2pm. Nice cork. Nice foil.
Color: very light, I’d say typical Pinot Noir garnet, but on the light side. Swirling the arches keep some time, but this is clearly not a very alcoholic wine (although it doesn’t specify on the bottle).
[13.9% on that back label bottle shot]
Nose: I smelled unripe cherries, pomegranate, slight leather, and a hint of nutmeg. My partner smelled pomegranate, raspberries, and a hint of cinnamon. There is some sort of spiciness to it, even though we couldn’t precisely point the finger to which one.
Mouth: pomegranate, bright cherries (those light red cherries, smaller), cranberries. Light tannins present, a slight leather and some spices (all spice?). On the tart side, but somewhat round.
This is a wine that you can pop and pour without too much trouble. It opens fast and it is a good, what-I-would-expect-from-a-Cali-PN Pinot Noir. It has character even if it is light, low acidity, and medium body. Totally decent and pleasant.
After four hours and a bit of chilling:
I popped the wine in the fridge and served at around 55-60.
It didn’t change much.
Nose: still pomegranate and tart cherries. A hint of grass now. A taster mentioned pepper (and/or peppery smell).
Mouth: cherries (tart and light red cherries, slightly unripe), more spices present (pepper, this time, more accentuated) but also allspice and a hint of vanilla. Quite low on tannins, and low on wood. Light to medium body; little acidity; short to medium persistence on the mount. One tester described it as playful on the tongue and rounded.
Overall, a very good, classic North California Pinot Noir, French style. A bit tart but not acidic; rounded and yet refreshing. Medium to light body (it was a perfect combo with the turkey; not much with the heavier stuffings and side dishes); short to medium persistence.
We thought of a high street price of around 45 to 65$. Casemates price could easily be at around 25$ This is a bit embarrassing, and I get why this wine is this expensive. Still, it’s definitely a great wine, and those who love this winery and style will love the product and presentation. It is a steep price for me, since I’m a cheapo
Thanks for the opportunity to rat on this!
/giphy minute-flattering-hunter
@KNmeh7, @drhellknow Ohio lit up so…
Who the h-e double toothpicks is buying this fine wine (in CMH) without me?!
@ttboy23 not I!
@ttboy23
Guilty - currently splitting but could do thirds if you’re interested
/giphy parched-tireless-avocado
