2009 Iron Horse Classic Vintage, Brut, Sparkling, Green Valley, California
Critics reviews
Robert M. Parker, Jr. - Wine Advocate - eRobertParker.com #216 Dec 2014
Rachel Walker - The Sunday Times (The Dish), 30th April 2017
About this WINE
Iron Horse Vineyards
Iron Horse is one of Sonoma County's small, independent, family-owned wineries. Founded in 1976, in the Green Valley AVA of Sonoma’s Russian River Valley, Iron Horse is renowned for its sparkling wines.
The estate was named after a railroad stop, which crossed the property in the 1890s. Rodney Strong rediscovered it as a vineyard site in 1970, planting the original 55 acres of Chardonnay and 55 acres of Pinot Noir.
Famously served at the White House for the first time for the Reagan - Gorbachev state banquet and then also during four further presidencies, Iron Horse is a new, premium sparkling addition to our Californian wine range and showcases the quality available from California for traditional styled sparkling wines.
Champagne blend
Which grapes are included in the blend, and their proportion, is one of the key factors determining the style of most Champagnes. Three grapes are used - Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Pinot Meunier.
26% of vineyards in Champagne are planted with Chardonnay and it performs best on the Côtes des Blancs and on the chalk slopes south of Epernay. It is relatively simple to grow, although it buds early and thus is susceptible to spring frosts. It produces lighter, fresher wines than those from Burgundy and gives finesse, fruit and elegance to the final blend. It is the sole grape in Blancs de Blancs, which are some of the richest long-lived Champagnes produced.
Pinot Noir accounts for nearly 40% of the plantings in Champagne and lies at the heart of most blends - it gives Champagne its body, structure, strength and grip. It is planted across Champagne and particularly so in the southern Aube district.
The final component is Pinot Meunier and this constitutes nearly 35% of the plantings. Its durability and resistance to spring frosts make the Marne Valley, a notorious frost pocket, its natural home. It ripens well in poor years and produces a soft, fruity style of wine that is ideal for blending with the more assertive flavours of Pinot Noir. Producers allege that Pinot Meunier lacks ageing potential, but this does not deter Krug from including around 15% of it in their final blends.
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Description
Orange blossom, red fruit and gingerbread jump out of the glass. There is a more exotic stone fruit element as well. The mousse is delicate and fine, with lingering and persistent fine bubbles. Plenty of autolytic character on the palate, with a creamy finish. Enjoy this on its own or for something a bit different, with some popcorn as recommend when tasting at Iron Horse!
Fergus Stewart, Private Account Manager
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