Harvest Dates: August 18 - August 24, 2016
Date Bottled: April 12, 2017
Release Date: Current disgorging, October 14, 2024
Total Production: 200 Cases
Suggested Retail Price: $195.00
This marks the third vintage in our limited-edition series of magnum tête de cuvée Sparkling Wines showcasing breathtaking
visuals captured by the James Webb Space Telescope. The label on this vintage features a mesmerizing
zoomed in portion of one of the most distinctive objects in the skies, the Horsehead Nebula, located 1500 light-years
from Earth, in the constellation Orion. It's our tribute to the awe-inspiring wonders of the cosmos, the brilliance of scientific
discovery, and the light that shines within us all.
Technical Data
Appellation: Green Valley of Russian River Valley
Blend: 75% Chardonnay 25% Pinot Noir
Alcohol: 13.5% v/v
Acidity: 7.3 g/Liter
Residual Sugar: 3.2 g/Liter
pH: 3.18
Malolactic Fermentation: None
Barrels: None
Artisanal Winemaking: Hand harvested in the early morning from our Thomas Road vineyard, our Chardonnay and
Pinot grapes are gently pressed as whole clusters yielding base wines of great delicacy. The juice ferments slowly at
62° to 65° f retaining vibrant fruit esters. In blending this wine we chose Chardonnay lots that were a bit shy by nose
and which had lean and angular elements by mouth, knowing how the base wine would evolve. What was once shy
now exhibits wonderful complexity, elegance and creaminess that comes from 2737 days, or 7.49 years aging on the
yeast. The dosage is 4 ml Brut LEX.
Precision Winegrowing: At Iron Horse "Estate Bottled" means that the winemaking begins in the vineyard. Our location
in Green Valley, only a dozen miles from the Pacific Ocean, represents the very best soil, climate and aspects for
Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. Our goal is to grow the finest wine grapes through what we call "precision winegrowing."
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.
For Sparkling and Still Wine, Precision Harvesting is Key: Our only rule is to make the best wines of the vintage.
We wait until harvest to decide sparkling or still, as the only difference is the brix level (or the amount of sugar in the
grapes, less for sparkling's, more for still). Then winemaker David Munksgard considers berry size (bigger is better for
sparkling's, smaller for still), the health of the canopy, clone selection, even small details such as the relative dampness
of the cover crop can make a difference. If necessary, parts of the same block may be picked on different days.
Tasting Notes: A burst of lively energy emerges from the glass, offering up scents of zesty citrus flowers and toasted
almonds. Hints of kaffir lime leaf and orange zest dance across the taste buds, while the finish brings a delightful blend
of tangy lime curd and a velvety, creamy texture.
Iron Horse Vineyards, 9786 Ross Station Road, Sebastopol, CA 95472
Phone: (707) 887-1507 Fax: (707) 887-1337
Email: info@ironhorsevineyards.com Website: www.ironhorsevineyards.com
2016 Stargazing Cuvée