Iron Horse Wedding Cuvee 2014
Iron Horse 2012 Wedding Cuvée, Green Valley, Russian River Valley, Sonoma County | 13.5% | 78% Pinot Noir and 22% Chardonnay aged three years on its lees and weighing in Brut at a modest 5g/L residual sugar which is nice and dry even for standards set by Champagne, this estate sparkling wine remains one of America’s best examples of quality craftsmanship start to finish. Whether it is truly rosé or a Blanc de Noirs with a little copper tinge is up for you to decide but it is beyond any doubt complex with fragrances ranging from tangerines to quince paste, that raspberry expression of blood oranges to a wisp of talcum. On the palate it is nimble for how rich and textured this is with a chewable vitamin mineral charm complete with a tart raspberry nuance to the finish –like the scent of blood orange peel.
Wine review by Nicholas Livingston, April 6th, 2016 (Leaf Day)
“Fruit forward, dry and elegant, with gorgeous tiny bubbles and a remarkably long finish. 78% Pinot Noir 22% Chardonnay. The dosage for the 2012 Wedding Cuvée is 5 ml Blanc de Noir Lex. Wedding Cuvée is our interpretation of a Blanc de Noirs. In blending this wine we choose Pinot Noir lots that are extremely expressive and fruit forward. Then in a decided step away from convention, we blend in a bit of steely Chardonnay to add a firm acid backbone. Hand harvested in the chill of early morning our Pinot Noir is gently pressed as whole clusters. The juice slowly ferments in stainless steel tanks at 62° to 65° f retaining bright fruit aromas and flavors in the wine. By nose: raspberry, mandarin orange peel and nutmeg. In the mouth: stone fruit, pink grapefruit, Tahitian lime, blood orange, raspberry with a gentle mouth-feel.”
Wine notes from David Munksgard, winemaker at Iron Horse Vineyards
Food Pairings
Marries perfectly with frisee salad with diced bacon and a Pinot Noir vinaigrette, Chinese chicken salad, scrambled eggs and caviar, rock shrimp and potato frittata, mushroom dishes such as a grilled Portobello sandwich or wild mushroom risotto, poac
