Iron Horse Vineyards Unoaked Chardonnay – 2019

Sonoma, California
Founded 1976
No Oak, No Malolactic Fermentation
Single Estate
Chardonnay

Iron Horse, located in the cool fog of Sonoma’s northern Green Valley, uses a targeted approach to the management and fermentation of their grapes (specialized treatment lot by lot, even vine by vine). This bottle of UnOaked was no exception, with the winemakers deciding how each lot of chardonnay grapes should be handled (e.g. immediate pressing or cold soak) as they entered the winery. In vinifying this 2019 they eschewed both oak and malolactic fermentation (the secondary fermentation that produces the extra “buttery” effect).

The lack of butter and oak make space for a fine nose of red apple, lychee, and dried fruit, with the apple continuing onto the palate where it mixes with a hit of lemon and a ripe pear finish. Drink 2022 to 2027.