This wine exhibits complex aromas, with ripe pomegranate and strawberries accentuated by clean clay, and beautiful floral aromas. Its fresh acidity brightens the soft tannins and showcases wonderful notes of rhubarb pie, cinnamon bark, and pink peppercorns. Silky, smooth, and curvaceous in the finish.
The Corral is an old 1920s cattle corral located on the southernmost border of Iron Horse. The grapes for this bottling come from select parts of three different vineyard blocks planted from the Corral down a gradual slope that eventually spills into the riparian corridor at the property line.
The hand-harvested fruit for this bottling was destemmed to bins for fermentation, and we kept clones separate until deciding that the three played well together and blended to create a more complete wine. We were thankful to be able to include every drop of wine in this blend since only 500 cases were produced. Produced from the Calera, and Pommard 5 clones of Pinot Noir.
Our only rule is to make the best wines we can. We wait until harvest to decide sparkling or still, as the key difference is the brix level (or the amount of sugar in the grapes, less for sparklings, more for still). Then winemaker David Munksgard considers berry size (bigger is better for sparklings, smaller for still), the health of the canopy, clone selection, and even small details such as the relative dampness of the cover crop can make a difference. When making Pinot Noir the key is to avoid any variability of ripeness and maturity within the vines and clusters. If necessary, parts of a single block may be picked on different days.
At Iron Horse “Estate Bottled” means that the winemaking begins in the vineyard. Our location in Green Valley, 12 miles from the ocean, represents the very best soil (Gold Ridge), climate and aspects for Chardon-nay and Pinot Noir. Our goal is to grow the best wine grapes through what we call “precision farming.” To achieve uniformity of maturity we map our blocks according to soil type and aspect, then select the appropriate variety, clone, and rootstock. All pruning, canopy management, irrigation and cover crop decisions are determined on a block-by-block (and sometimes even vine-by-vine) basis, considering both the vintage at hand and the long-term needs of the land. We are Certified Sustainable
Specs
Vintage: 2020
Varietal: Pinot Noir
Appellation: Green Valley of Russian River Valley
Blend: Pommard 5 Clone and Calera Clone
Malolactic Fermentation: 100%
Barrels: 100% French Oak / 60% New French Oak
Barrel Aged: 10 Months
Harvest Dates: August 29th 2020
Date Bottled: April 28, 2021
Alcohol: 13.1%
Acidity: 4.7 g/L
Residual Sugar: < 2 g/L
pH: 3.71
Total Production: 500 Cases
What’s Included
2-bottles:
2x 2020 Iron Horse Pinot Noir, Corral Vineyards Case:
Iron Horse is one of Sonoma County’s 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
Iron Horse Chardonnay is signature Green Valley – bright, crisp, clean, cool-climate perfection. Pinot Noir is the winery’s 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 “Icons of the American Market Place” published by Random House.
The estate was named after a railroad stop which 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.
Available States
AZ, CA, CO, CT, DC, FL, GA, ID, IL, IN, IA, KS, KY, 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
@hscottk I would agree, especially if someone has free shipping. But I figured what the heck, it’s been awhile since I’ve split some wine and human interaction is worth something as well
How much more are you saving by buying a full case?
(Note: tax and shipping are not included in savings calculations.)
2020 Iron Horse Premium Pinot Noir - $20 = 4.16%
@hscottk Well, there was the Ty Caton offer that initially gave 6 bottles for $80 or a case for $210 which was a -31.26% penalty for the full case (which was later corrected to be 4 for $80).
@sosptuba Yes, but not really the same thing, at all
2018 Deer Gate and 2018 Winery Block Pinot Noir
Different vintage and vineyards both of 'em.
Still, all IH, and at well below, nearly half, where they can be found elsewhere.
@rjquillin@sosptuba I bought that offer for 2018’s & for the $$$$$$ star value, I’ve had better PN’s! It’s very possible my palate takes me in a different direction!
@rjquillin@sosptuba Since the bottle costs for this offer is a little less than $2/btl, I got the 2 btl offer to check my palate again at our family Christmas dinner. Yikes, a normal cost of a case of this Premium Corral Pinot Noir is $1044?
@chipgreen@rjquillin@sosptuba I mean, IH calls themselves “ultra-premium” everywhere on their website. I guess that helps justify the $87 SRP on the Pinots.
Personally, I quite like most of the Pinots I’ve had from IH. I think the list price is nuts. But the $35-40 range makes it competitive with a lot of other California and Oregon Pinot that comes up from good sources.
Lab Rat here! On the nose it has dark fruit, cherry, and what I would describe as “chewy sweet tarts”.
On taste the cherry comes through, also red currant and a little smokiness along with pronounced tannins and a very dry long pleasant finish. Alcohol comes through a little more than I’d like at this price point but ultimately, I’d recommend.
@danidani12@karenhynes@rjquillin
I opened one of course! Iirc the ABV showed a bit more than I like. God only knows where I put the other one? Or maybe I just bought 1?
@danidani12@karenhynes@rjquillin No, I agree. But it was a reference to the other thread where Ron accused Scott of baby killing
Yes, Ron, we did a split, along with several others. But it was nearly 5 years ago, so everything was distributed best I can tell.
We will be out in SF for Thanksgiving, so I sent a couple of bottles to my brother for us all to have and enjoy together. Also, want to keep the IH offers coming in the future. And … Audrey, Barry, Joy and Laurence have been such wonderful hosts over the years.
I reluctantly bought the Gruet this week, but I know I’ll be happy. Reluctantly buying this (2x2-pack), but I know I’ll be happy. With my luck, some fantastic cab franc will show up tomorrow that I’ll probably reluctantly buy. I’ll then reluctantly look at my credit card statement…!
2020 Iron Horse Pinot Noir, Corral Vineyards
Tasting Notes
Specs
What’s Included
2-bottles:
Case:
Price Comparison
$1044.00/Case for 12x 2020 Iron Horse Pinot Noir, Corral Vineyards at Iron Horse
About The Winery
Available States
AZ, CA, CO, CT, DC, FL, GA, ID, IL, IN, IA, KS, KY, 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, Nov 25 - Tuesday, Nov 26
2020 Iron Horse Premium Pinot Noir
2 bottles for $79.99 $40/bottle + $4/bottle shipping
Case of 12 for $459.99 $38.33/bottle + $1/bottle shipping
Anyone in Denver ordering and want to split?
@knlprez it may not be worth the effort. Very minimal case savings here. It’s the anti-Casemates deal!
@hscottk @knlprez Those are my favorites!
@hscottk I would agree, especially if someone has free shipping. But I figured what the heck, it’s been awhile since I’ve split some wine and human interaction is worth something as well
Ratted.
Drank it with the wife. It was good.
But it’s been a long damn day, so you’ll get my notes tomorrow.
The summary is: full bodied for a Pinot, almost heavy. Almost a caricature of a RRV style Pinot. New world weight and acidity, old world flavor.
@PetiteSirah This is a 24hr offer. No need for tomorrow’s notes!
Any signs of smokiness? There were fires in the area in 2020 but I read that PN was harvested before the fires.
Who could be crazy enough not to buy two cases before it’s gone!
@Drez143 Why do you feel so strongly for this particular wine? Have you had it? $460 is a sack of money, at least for me it is.
@Drez143 @jmdavidson1 I’m going to go out on a limb and suggest there is some sarcasm here.
@hscottk @jmdavidson1
/giphy effective-flippant-map
@Drez143 @hscottk Not. Just an inquiring mind. I don’t drink much p.n. so I’m looking for input to justify buying a wine that i don’t usually buy
@Drez143 times two?!!
How much more are you saving by buying a full case?
(Note: tax and shipping are not included in savings calculations.)
2020 Iron Horse Premium Pinot Noir - $20 = 4.16%
@Mark_L Is this the lowest % savings for a case in Casemates history.
@Mark_L Oh wait, wasn’t there another IH deal with no price difference? I seem to remember there was some controversy there.
@hscottk Well, there was the Ty Caton offer that initially gave 6 bottles for $80 or a case for $210 which was a -31.26% penalty for the full case (which was later corrected to be 4 for $80).
@hscottk @Mark_L
There was an Iron Horse (mystery case, I believe) that was actually a penny more for the case deal, IIRC.
@chipgreen @hscottk @Mark_L I guess the case discount IH offered didn’t quite cover the shipping extra costs.
Previous Offering for a Iron Horse High End Pinot Nior mix
@sosptuba Yes, but not really the same thing, at all
2018 Deer Gate and 2018 Winery Block Pinot Noir
Different vintage and vineyards both of 'em.
Still, all IH, and at well below, nearly half, where they can be found elsewhere.
@rpm @wccwinegirl
Was gonna ask if you got a Rat bottle, and if not, why not?
@rjquillin @sosptuba I bought that offer for 2018’s & for the $$$$$$ star value, I’ve had better PN’s! It’s very possible my palate takes me in a different direction!
@rjquillin @sosptuba Since the bottle costs for this offer is a little less than $2/btl, I got the 2 btl offer to check my palate again at our family Christmas dinner. Yikes, a normal cost of a case of this Premium Corral Pinot Noir is $1044?
@rjquillin @sosptuba
Same thing afa MSRP. Interesting that the previous offer was $5 more for 2 bottles but $20 less for the case than today’s offer.
But you’re right, they must be different because those were “high end” Pinots whereas this is “premium”.
@chipgreen @rjquillin @sosptuba I mean, IH calls themselves “ultra-premium” everywhere on their website. I guess that helps justify the $87 SRP on the Pinots.
Personally, I quite like most of the Pinots I’ve had from IH. I think the list price is nuts. But the $35-40 range makes it competitive with a lot of other California and Oregon Pinot that comes up from good sources.
Lab Rat here! On the nose it has dark fruit, cherry, and what I would describe as “chewy sweet tarts”.
On taste the cherry comes through, also red currant and a little smokiness along with pronounced tannins and a very dry long pleasant finish. Alcohol comes through a little more than I’d like at this price point but ultimately, I’d recommend.
@kevo152
can you expand a bit on
@rjquillin Just subtle enough that i can’t tell if its from the fires or the casks. If that makes sense.
Is this the most expensive per bottle price?!!
@danidani12 not by a long shot!
2013 Provenance Cabernet Sauvignon
@danidani12 @rjquillin
I wonder if anyone has opened any of those???
@danidani12 @karenhynes
Klez has a ct comment posted. No idea where mine are, but I’ve consumed one as well
@danidani12 @karenhynes @rjquillin I wouldn’t want to be accused of baby-killing. But it was good.
@danidani12 @karenhynes @klezman
Did we dp a split?
@danidani12 @klezman @rjquillin
Nothing wrong with drinking a young(ish) cab.
@danidani12 @karenhynes @rjquillin
I opened one of course! Iirc the ABV showed a bit more than I like. God only knows where I put the other one? Or maybe I just bought 1?
@danidani12 @karenhynes @rjquillin No, I agree. But it was a reference to the other thread where Ron accused Scott of baby killing
Yes, Ron, we did a split, along with several others. But it was nearly 5 years ago, so everything was distributed best I can tell.
@danidani12 @klezman @rjquillin
Nearly 5 years ago. Wow! I wonder where mine are?
Attn: thread hijack, continued…
@danidani12 @karenhynes @klezman
Me too… We split 2 cases, and I have no idea where any of them are.
You’re &^%$ing killing me, Casemates. I simply can’t NOT order this. Sick price for next level wine.
/giphy wrinkled-homely-load
Can’t resist stocking upon some Iron Horse!
We will be out in SF for Thanksgiving, so I sent a couple of bottles to my brother for us all to have and enjoy together. Also, want to keep the IH offers coming in the future. And … Audrey, Barry, Joy and Laurence have been such wonderful hosts over the years.
I reluctantly bought the Gruet this week, but I know I’ll be happy. Reluctantly buying this (2x2-pack), but I know I’ll be happy. With my luck, some fantastic cab franc will show up tomorrow that I’ll probably reluctantly buy. I’ll then reluctantly look at my credit card statement…!
Oh boy - also getting a 2x2 pack and can’t wait!!
/giphy measly-aggressive-polish
In for a 2x2!
/giphy thoughtless-undulating-name
Out of room, but in for 2! Thanks for the offer!
/giphy earnest-reliant-gambler
