I have the privilege and honor of reviewing this incredibly complex Pinot Noir, tasted with my wife and a wine-loving friend.
We did our tasting within an hour after opening the bottle. The aroma profile presented a lovely bouquet. The expected berry aromas were very bright, much like perfectly ripe blueberries, and there was a candy smell that reminded us of an opened pack of Life Savers candy. Complementing the berries, there were savory whiffs of green pepper, and we also detected earthiness â a dusty spice like cinnamon stick. The wine is a light to medium bodied wine with very thin legs that clung to the side of the glass.
The tasting was a similar mixture of so many sensations, so much that it took a while to sort them out. In mid-tongue there was the buzz of bright berries, which we likened to plums or fresh mulberries. It was hard to isolate specifics because the delicate and silky fruits were in constant tension with the acidâs sharpness on the sides and back of the tongue. One of us remarked that this tension was a little like a mouthful of the most elegant Pop Rocks of which one could conceive. There was a bright finish with a hint of nutmeg in the afterglow. The tannins were exceptionally fine, contributing to the smoothness and body but also a significant pucker.
We loved the exceptional paradoxes of this wine. Everything about this wine was engaging, and it refused to be put into simple categories. We would like to express our gratitude for allowing us to review such an exceptional wine!
This wine was another exceptional offering. My wife and I are not as well versed in chardonnay, but this is neither an oak bomb nor a simple citrus experience. This chardonnay was a nuanced expression of the winemakerâs tribute to the co-founder. We canât help but agree with the description on the back label: âTrue to its namesake, it has elegance, class, and is a pure pleasure.â
On the nose, it has citrusy aromas, and as it warmed up, it gained a bit of a spicy note. It smelled clean and floral, with something of the crisp smells of a Granny Smith apple as it is being sliced.
The mouthfeel is light to medium, but yet it had enough body to be fairly round â enough to cling to the glass and linger downward.
We sampled the wine with a pasta primavera, and it responded well to the parmesan, lemon, and garlic sauce on broccoli, red bell pepper, zucchini, and carrot over farfalle. The pairing matched the wineâs citrusy aspects, and there was a green apple flavor to match the aroma; however, the tartness was balanced with a rounder, creamier aspect. The food complemented the wine nicely, as did the cowâs milk brie we had later in the evening. Lightly oaked, it was only somewhat dry and tannic.
My wifeâs comment was that it tasted crisp and refreshing, and it made both of us express a Western New York longing for summer!
Again, thank you for the opportunity to offer our undereducated opinions about what is undoubtedly an exceptional wine. This wine is worth the price of admission, one I would be willing to pay without asking the price.
Thank you to Alice for a really special treat this week! Low and behold, Brown had a double bottle package for me, score! Inside were two lovely bottles from Iron Horse Vineyards in Green Valley: a 2018 Gold Ridge Pinot Noir and a 2019 Audrey Chardonnay; Wow what a pair of incredible bottles!
First up, the
2018 Gold Ridge Pinot Noir
After stabilizing the bottle at 55F for a day, we popped the natural cork on this beauty, poured a glass, and dove right in. Everything about this wine screams balance and elegance. The color was a beautiful dark ruby red, consistent and lovely throughout the entire glass. The initial aroma was certainly not overwhelming, but was an exquisite balance of dark fruit, rich earthiness, and a certain floral/spice hint not unlike a fruit blossom. Upon the first tasting, we knew this was something special. There were mutterings of âOh Wowâ, âThis is goodâ, and the like. RRV certainly produces a lot of great Pinots, but the terroir on this bottle really shines through with earthy richness, rich dense fruit and berry, and silky smooth tannins. Not overly fruity or acidic at all, the balance here is just top notch. Pairing this bottle with rich charcuterie, stone ground mustard, and crusty bread was a smash hit, the perceived acidity was lower on this than what would be ideal for fatty meats but still carried through beautifully. As the wine breathed and opened up there wasnât an immense revelation of change, as there were no rough edges to smooth out, but the spice subdued slightly and the earthy notes took front stage. Though I typically prefer lighter and fruitier Pinots, this lush and velvety Pinot will certainly earn a space in the wine cellar.
And then, the
2019 Audrey Chardonnay
Admittedly, we are not big Chardonnay drinkers, typically prefer something lighter and crisper like a Sauv Blanc. This wine really ticked all of the boxes for us, though. Just like the Pinot, the presentation of the bottle is top notch: which foil wrapper, natural cork, a lovely heft to the bottle, and of course delicious goods on the inside. The wine poured brilliantly crystal clear with just a very light, even faint, straw color. The initial nose was delicious tart green apple, light citrus and honey, with just a touch of creamy vanilla oak. The Chardonnay gave the impression of being very light and effervescent, very much like a brut sparkling wine, despite being still. Mouthfeel was light for a Chardonnay and well structured. Tart, eatery, green apple acidity is very well supported with nice creaminess from the oak, though finishes crisp and refreshing. Seriously mouthwatering; hardly any buttery diacetyl. This style of lightly-oaked Chardonnay suits our preference; I would guess this wine has only seen about 12 months on older oak, maybe even French. The tart green apple starts very strong, but blends into oak and sweet honey as the wine breathes. Very elegant, again much like a sparkling wine in its light effervescent nature, this wine would be an incredible pairing to summertime grilled dishes. We loved it with tomato bisque and garlic oil roasted crouton!
Both of these bottles are very impressive and would make for a handsome gift or showpieces in any collection. Will be interested to see how much of a deal the CM team was able to barter from the folks at Iron Horse!! Either way, we are in for a case.
@bdb@kasandrae@ttboy23 So true! SE Michigan if anyone is interested in a 3 for 1 split, thatâs 3 Chard +1 Pinot, hello! Guess who keeps the extra Pinot
By nose this chardonnay has a great amount of honeysuckle and green apple, followed by stone fruit and a hint of Madagascar vanilla bean. Green apple is the predominant flavor at the very beginning of the front palate, with a great integration of oak and fruit which balances out the wine throughout the mouth. Delightful flavors of peach and honeysuckle in the mid-palate, with creaminess from the mid-palate through the finish.
Winemaking: Only as the grapes arrive at the winery do we decide how to treat them. This Chardonnay was
handled in small 10 ton lots (one press load) at a time. 100% of the Chardonnay grapes were pressed as whole clusters, just as we do with sparkling wine. Frequent lees stirring or âbatonnageâ, at least three times a week for at least seven months contributes to the complex flavors.
They say ingredient x in a wine is the people behind it â a saying that certainly holds true for this delicious first release of Audrey Chardonnay. It mirrors the beauty and grace of Iron Horse Co-Founder Audrey Sterling. Multi-faceted, brilliant, and memorable. This is a tribute wine, made with love and admiration.
Specs
Vintage: 2019
Appellation: Green Valley of Russian River Valley, Sonoma County
Blend: 78% Hyde Old Wente, 22% Rued Clone Chardonnay
Malolactic Fermentation: 31%
Barrels: 100% Water bent French oak, 2 - 5 years old
Harvest Dates: September 11 â 24, 2019
Date Bottled: October 29, 2020
Alcohol: 13.7%
Acidity: 5.2 g/L
Residual Sugar: <0.20g/L
pH: 3.33
Total Production: 656 Cases
2018 Iron Horse Vineyards Gold Ridge Pinot Noir
Tasting Notes
By nose: Toasted oak, plum compote, and cardamom. By mouth: Blackberry, plum with soft, but supportive tannins. Calls for grilled lamb chops on a summer night.
Vineyard Notes
Hand-picked from Winery blocks 2 and 4 (Pommard 5), block H-5 (clone 828), and block P-6 (clone 13, Thomas Road) 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 malolactic fermentation.
Winemaker Notes
Clone 828 brings the hearty ripeness, Clone 13 sprinkles in the forest floor and savory qualities, while Pommard 5 layers in the silky texture and roundness.
Specs
Vintage: 2018
Appellation: Green Valley of Russian River Valley
Blend: 88% clone 828 and 12% Pommard 5
Malolactic Fermentation: 100%
Barrels: Average age of barrels 4.5 years, 100% French oak from the center of France, fire bent, medium + toast, and toasted heads.
Barrel-Aged: 9 Months
Harvest Dates: September 7 - 17, 2018
Date Bottled: July 23, 2019
Release Date: November 2020
Alcohol: 13.9%
Total Acidity: 4.9 g/L
Residual Sugar: <0.20 g/L
pH: 3.47
Total Production: 800 Cases
Whatâs Included
4-bottles:
2x 2019 Iron Horse Vineyards Audrey Chardonnay
2x 2018 Iron Horse Vineyards Gold Ridge Pinot Noir
Case:
6x 2019 Iron Horse Vineyards Audrey Chardonnay
6x 2018 Iron Horse Vineyards Gold Ridge Pinot Noir
Iron Horse is one of Sonoma Countyâs 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, âThese impressive Sparkling WinesâŠpossess more texture and flavor than just about any sparkler I have tasted from California.â
Iron Horse Chardonnay is signature Green Valley â bright, crisp, clean, cool-climate perfection. Pinot Noir is the wineryâs rising star. Current releases include eight single-vineyard Pinots, each representing a specific vineyard block on the estate.
Iron Horse has been named an American icon in âIcons of the American Market Placeâ published by Random House. The estate was named after a railroad stop that crossed the property in the 1890s. Winemaker Rodney Strong rediscovered it as a vineyard site in 1970, planting the original 55 acres of Chardonnay and 55 acres of Pinot Noir.
Iron Horse Vineyards Estate Bottled Red & White Selections
4 bottles for $139.99 $35/bottle + $2/bottle shipping
Case of 12 for $339.99 $28.33/bottle + $1/bottle shipping
@netcommsyn Matt: The Wime Smith 2019 Unicorn is here. Please let me know totals of wines I owe you. Plscall if you want the recents Pinot Noirs. Tnaks Jon
How much more are you saving by buying a full case?
(Note: Tax & Shipping not included in savings calculations).
Iron Horse Vineyards Estate Bottled Red & White Selections - $80 = 19.04%
Iron Horse 2018 Gold Ridge Pinot Noir
I have the privilege and honor of reviewing this incredibly complex Pinot Noir, tasted with my wife and a wine-loving friend.
We did our tasting within an hour after opening the bottle. The aroma profile presented a lovely bouquet. The expected berry aromas were very bright, much like perfectly ripe blueberries, and there was a candy smell that reminded us of an opened pack of Life Savers candy. Complementing the berries, there were savory whiffs of green pepper, and we also detected earthiness â a dusty spice like cinnamon stick. The wine is a light to medium bodied wine with very thin legs that clung to the side of the glass.
The tasting was a similar mixture of so many sensations, so much that it took a while to sort them out. In mid-tongue there was the buzz of bright berries, which we likened to plums or fresh mulberries. It was hard to isolate specifics because the delicate and silky fruits were in constant tension with the acidâs sharpness on the sides and back of the tongue. One of us remarked that this tension was a little like a mouthful of the most elegant Pop Rocks of which one could conceive. There was a bright finish with a hint of nutmeg in the afterglow. The tannins were exceptionally fine, contributing to the smoothness and body but also a significant pucker.
We loved the exceptional paradoxes of this wine. Everything about this wine was engaging, and it refused to be put into simple categories. We would like to express our gratitude for allowing us to review such an exceptional wine!
2019 Iron Horse Audrey Chardonnay
This wine was another exceptional offering. My wife and I are not as well versed in chardonnay, but this is neither an oak bomb nor a simple citrus experience. This chardonnay was a nuanced expression of the winemakerâs tribute to the co-founder. We canât help but agree with the description on the back label: âTrue to its namesake, it has elegance, class, and is a pure pleasure.â
On the nose, it has citrusy aromas, and as it warmed up, it gained a bit of a spicy note. It smelled clean and floral, with something of the crisp smells of a Granny Smith apple as it is being sliced.
The mouthfeel is light to medium, but yet it had enough body to be fairly round â enough to cling to the glass and linger downward.
We sampled the wine with a pasta primavera, and it responded well to the parmesan, lemon, and garlic sauce on broccoli, red bell pepper, zucchini, and carrot over farfalle. The pairing matched the wineâs citrusy aspects, and there was a green apple flavor to match the aroma; however, the tartness was balanced with a rounder, creamier aspect. The food complemented the wine nicely, as did the cowâs milk brie we had later in the evening. Lightly oaked, it was only somewhat dry and tannic.
My wifeâs comment was that it tasted crisp and refreshing, and it made both of us express a Western New York longing for summer!
Again, thank you for the opportunity to offer our undereducated opinions about what is undoubtedly an exceptional wine. This wine is worth the price of admission, one I would be willing to pay without asking the price.
@ejrunion Iâm in! Canât wait to have more of these! Thanks to @wnance for doing a case split!
@ejrunion thank you for the great reports & for pulling double duty.
Iron Horse Pair
Thank you to Alice for a really special treat this week! Low and behold, Brown had a double bottle package for me, score! Inside were two lovely bottles from Iron Horse Vineyards in Green Valley: a 2018 Gold Ridge Pinot Noir and a 2019 Audrey Chardonnay; Wow what a pair of incredible bottles!
First up, the
2018 Gold Ridge Pinot Noir
After stabilizing the bottle at 55F for a day, we popped the natural cork on this beauty, poured a glass, and dove right in. Everything about this wine screams balance and elegance. The color was a beautiful dark ruby red, consistent and lovely throughout the entire glass. The initial aroma was certainly not overwhelming, but was an exquisite balance of dark fruit, rich earthiness, and a certain floral/spice hint not unlike a fruit blossom. Upon the first tasting, we knew this was something special. There were mutterings of âOh Wowâ, âThis is goodâ, and the like. RRV certainly produces a lot of great Pinots, but the terroir on this bottle really shines through with earthy richness, rich dense fruit and berry, and silky smooth tannins. Not overly fruity or acidic at all, the balance here is just top notch. Pairing this bottle with rich charcuterie, stone ground mustard, and crusty bread was a smash hit, the perceived acidity was lower on this than what would be ideal for fatty meats but still carried through beautifully. As the wine breathed and opened up there wasnât an immense revelation of change, as there were no rough edges to smooth out, but the spice subdued slightly and the earthy notes took front stage. Though I typically prefer lighter and fruitier Pinots, this lush and velvety Pinot will certainly earn a space in the wine cellar.
And then, the
2019 Audrey Chardonnay
Admittedly, we are not big Chardonnay drinkers, typically prefer something lighter and crisper like a Sauv Blanc. This wine really ticked all of the boxes for us, though. Just like the Pinot, the presentation of the bottle is top notch: which foil wrapper, natural cork, a lovely heft to the bottle, and of course delicious goods on the inside. The wine poured brilliantly crystal clear with just a very light, even faint, straw color. The initial nose was delicious tart green apple, light citrus and honey, with just a touch of creamy vanilla oak. The Chardonnay gave the impression of being very light and effervescent, very much like a brut sparkling wine, despite being still. Mouthfeel was light for a Chardonnay and well structured. Tart, eatery, green apple acidity is very well supported with nice creaminess from the oak, though finishes crisp and refreshing. Seriously mouthwatering; hardly any buttery diacetyl. This style of lightly-oaked Chardonnay suits our preference; I would guess this wine has only seen about 12 months on older oak, maybe even French. The tart green apple starts very strong, but blends into oak and sweet honey as the wine breathes. Very elegant, again much like a sparkling wine in its light effervescent nature, this wine would be an incredible pairing to summertime grilled dishes. We loved it with tomato bisque and garlic oil roasted crouton!
Both of these bottles are very impressive and would make for a handsome gift or showpieces in any collection. Will be interested to see how much of a deal the CM team was able to barter from the folks at Iron Horse!! Either way, we are in for a case.
@emribecky Nicely reviewed! This was a challenging one; your review hit the complexity on the nose!
@emribecky thank you for the rattage, much appreciated
THIS IS AN rpmAUTOBUY to the MAX of the lower of your credit card limit or what WineDavid will sell you!!!
Now: where are the Sparklers???
I donât usually buy chardonnay or pinot noir, but when I doâŠCase order in. Happy to see a Black Tie offer again.
I was hoping they would sell out. My resistance was futile in the end. Grabbed a case.
With those reviews and after the last few IH offerings, how can I resist? Up for splitting with folks in the DMV area if anyone is interested!
/giphy lacy-harmonious-mollusk
@cduan Split me out? Lol I edited this, either way you get the point!
@bunnymasseuse You got it!
@bunnymasseuse @cduan I missed this! Can I get in on the split? Iâd appreciate any amount.
Black Tie Friday flashbacks! Not in the budget right now, but surely great wines and a great price for IH.
I would love, love, love! to try their Pinot (never had) but I definitely donât need any more Chardonnay right now
@ttboy23 and unfortunately I am only interested in the pinot, as Iâm not a white fanâŠred baby red!
@kasandrae @ttboy23 It occurs to me that both of you would be well served to say where you are, in case others here want to share.
@bdb @kasandrae @ttboy23 So true! SE Michigan if anyone is interested in a 3 for 1 split, thatâs 3 Chard +1 Pinot, hello! Guess who keeps the extra Pinot
Happy Friday, wow!
Good grief! How do I resist
I have resisted all day but finally pulled the plug. Canât wait!
2019 Iron Horse Vineyards Audrey Chardonnay
Tasting Notes
Specs
2018 Iron Horse Vineyards Gold Ridge Pinot Noir
Tasting Notes
Vineyard Notes
Winemaker Notes
Specs
Whatâs Included
4-bottles:
Case:
Price Comparison
864.00/Case for 6x 2019 Iron Horse Vineyards Audrey Chardonnay & 6x 2018 Iron Horse Vineyards Gold Ridge Pinot Noir at Iron Horse Winery
About The Winery
Available States
AZ, CA, CO, CT, DC, FL, GA, ID, IL, 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, May 2 - Thursday, May 5
Iron Horse Vineyards Estate Bottled Red & White Selections
4 bottles for $139.99 $35/bottle + $2/bottle shipping
Case of 12 for $339.99 $28.33/bottle + $1/bottle shipping
2019 Iron Horse Vineyards Audrey Chardonnay
2018 Iron Horse Vineyards Gold Ridge Pinot Noir
I am starting to feel slighted, last several offerings have not shipped to Indiana
@cbilyak drive to an adjacent state for this one.
@cbilyak Or find a caselegger (aka wootlegger/bootlegger) in a neighboring State!
@cbilyak I know right?! Iâm surprised that MI was included
/giphy foolish-holy-apollo
Nice price on these!
Are the specs correct on the Pinot? They conflict with the narrative.
Purchased a case if anyone in the Salem/Nashua NH or Boston area wants a bottle or 2.
@netcommsyn Boston area, would be in for a bottle of each White and Red. Happy to arrange something when youâre in the Boston area sometime
@djy2g33
@djy2g33 I am in Newton MA most days. 6036824739
@netcommsyn Sent you a text, thanks!
@netcommsyn Matt: The Wime Smith 2019 Unicorn is here. Please let me know totals of wines I owe you. Plscall if you want the recents Pinot Noirs. Tnaks Jon
Not looking to split this one!
/giphy formal-runny-tongue
@knlprez YeahâŠbroke my SIWBM for this oneâŠ
@CObrent itâs always easier to bed for forgiveness than ask for permission!
Actually the SO gave the green light on this one. We canât pass up Iron Horse or a great deal and this checked all boxes.
@knlprez I love the typo in your message. Or was it a typo?
@bdb
either a typo or autocorrect fail!
/giphy flattering-ample-opinion
How many cases are coming to SoCal?
@klezman looks like at least oneâŠ
@klezman @rjquillin i would like to participate in any socal share. thanks
@klezman @rjquillin
Donât look at me âŠ
@buffaloroam @rjquillin so was there a split?
@buffaloroam @klezman
None that Iâm aware of.
@buffaloroam @rjquillin oh well.
How much more are you saving by buying a full case?
(Note: Tax & Shipping not included in savings calculations).
Iron Horse Vineyards Estate Bottled Red & White Selections - $80 = 19.04%