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Iron Horse Wines

Founded by Audrey and Barry Sterling, the Iron Horse winery is a small, independent and family-owned operation, which officially opened its doors in 1979. What drew the Sterlings to the Green Valley––a subregion of the Russian River Valley––was the cool and foggy rolling hills that they knew would be well suited for growing high-quality Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. In addition to Iron Horse’s standard cuvées, the winery also produces a limited number of special bottlings for establishments such as Disney and Michael Mina. According to the winery, Iron Horse sparkling wines have been served at the White House for the past five consecutive presidential administrations. For a full list of reviewed Iron Horse wines, be sure to check out our Iron Horse Ratings.

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Iron Horse NV Joy! Sparkling (Green Valley)

Price $147

Aged on the lees for 13 years, this wine has developed stunning creaminess and complexity. Made from 60% Pinot Noir and 40% Chardonnay, it shows a hazelnut smokiness, with fantastically rich, subtle layers of limes, apples, tangerine zest, minerals and yeast. There’s a honeyed richness to the finish, which balances high acidity, making it feel dry. A tremendous… — S.H. (12/31/2009)

Iron Horse 1997 Joy! Blanc de Blancs Sparkling (Green Valley)

Price $179

A triumph, really. Held back for 14 years and just recently disgorged, it’s fantastically rich and complex, just oozing the most delicious orange, butterscotch, yeast and toast flavors. So silky, so sweet in fruit, and yet with a dry finish. Stands out in any tasting of the best sparklers. Hard to imagine a California bubbly better than this. — S.H. (12/15/2011)

Iron Horse NV Joy! Sparkling (Green Valley)

Cellar Selection

Price $147

Available in magnum only, this is an occasional bottling from the winery. A winery spokeperson told me my bottle was entirely 1993 vintage, but not all other bottles are. The wine is extraordinarily fine, but compared to other California bubblies, it’s sandpapery and almost harsh at this point. As it warms up in the glass it shows an immense toasted nut and grilled… — S.H. (12/31/2008)

Iron Horse 2002 Brut LD Sparkling (Green Valley)

Editors' Choice

Price $85

Made from equal amounts of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, this wine was aged on the lees for more than four years, which gives it a fabulous creamy, yeasty complexity. There are tantalizing flavors of limes, orange zest, roasted hazelnuts, minerals and smoke. Absolutely wonderful now, and should hold and develop in the bottle through 2014, at least. Only 563 cases produced. — S.H. (12/31/2009)

Iron Horse 2003 T-bar-T Benchmark Red (Alexander Valley)

Editors' Choice

Price $70

This is a gorgeous wine, a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Petit Verdot and Cabernet Franc. It’s light and delicate, but powerful, and boasts delicious cherry pie, cassis, cocoa, char and spice flavors. It possesses the kind of tannins that are soft and sweet now, but firm enough to hold the wine for many years. Best now, or anytime through 2015. — S.H. (12/15/2006)

Iron Horse 2005 Thomas Road Pinot Noir (Green Valley)

Price $70

No doubt about it, this is a big, lusty Pinot Noir. From a low-production parcel of the estate, it routinely produces immensely concentrated wines. The winemaker’s challenge is to give balance and harmony to grapes of this heft, and here, Iron Horse has it figured out. Dry and enormously ripe in cherries, black raspberries, cocoa and cola, it’s good now with lamb… — S.H. (9/1/2007)

Iron Horse 2002 Blanc de Blancs Sparkling (Green Valley)

Editors' Choice

Price $38

The virtues of this 100% Chardonnay are its elegance, cleanliness, brightness and the sheer pleasure it offers. It’s so refined and complex, offering flavors of Meyer lemons, Kaffir limes, brioche and smoky vanilla that change endlessly in the glass. Just fabulous, and a terrifically versatile food wine. — S.H. (12/31/2008)

Iron Horse 2004 Ultra Brut Sparkling (Green Valley)

Price $50

Absolutely dry and brilliantly crisp, this clean, vibrant bubbly is rich and subtle in raspberry, lime, brioche and smoky vanilla flavors, with a spicy, lingering finish. Defines the Iron Horse style of elegance and class. Made from 68% Pinot Noir and 32% Chardonnay. — S.H. (7/1/2009)

Prominent Designations [All]

Blanc De Blancs Blanc de Blancs LD Brut Classic Vintage Brut L.D. Brut Rosé Brut Russian Cuvée Brut Vrais Amis Brut Wedding Cuvée Brut X Chinese Cuvée Classic Vintage Brut Corral Vineyard Cuvée Joy Estate Estate Bottled Good Luck Cuvee Heritage Clone Joy! Joy! Blanc de Blancs Joy! Rosé M Native Yeast Ocean Reserve Q Rosato Rosato di Rosato di Sangiovese Rosé de Rose de Pinot Noir Rued Clone Russian Cuvée T bar T Cuvée R T-bar-T T-bar-T Benchmark T-bar-T Blend 1 T-bar-T Late Harvest T-bar-T Proprietor Grown T-bar-T Vineyard Thomas Road Thomas Road Vineyard T-T Vineyard T-T Vineyard Cuvée R T-T Vineyard Rosato di Ultra Brut UnOaked Vrais Amis Wedding Cuvee Wedding Cuvée Brut

Most Reviewed Varietals [All]

Bordeaux-style Red Blend Cabernet Franc Cabernet Sauvignon Chardonnay Merlot Pinot Noir Rosé Sangiovese Sauvignon Blanc Sparkling Viognier White Blend

Most Reviewed Regions

Alexander Valley Green Valley Sonoma County

2010 Stonegate

Good price for a Napa Chardonnay this rich and balanced. It’s enormously…

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