Ironstone Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 2020
Overview
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The nose presents aromas of fresh berries, blackcurrants and black cherries, laced with eucalyptus, cedar, cola and mint. Powerful yet elegant, the palate offers sweet blackberry and plum with creamy vanilla that plays well with the unique mineral qualities of Sierra Foothills terroir. |
Wine Facts
VITICULTURE: Located at 2400 feet above sea level, these grapes were estate-grown at the Hay Station Ranch vineyard where warm days are cooled by the evening mountain air. This area’s unique soil of decomposed granite mixed with volcanic sediment and red clay produce a wonderful mineral component.
VINIFICATION: The grapes were picked at their peak and delivered to the winery after being selected by the winemaker. After undergoing extended fermentation and maceration, the wine was transferred into small oak barrels and placed into our underground caverns to ensure a fuller, richer, finer wine of true varietal character.
INTERESTING FACT: The caverns that house Ironstone’s barrel-aged wines were hand-blasted by local miners, many whose families came to California in search of gold in the 1800’s. These caverns naturally remain at 60°F year-round.
FAMILY: In 1926, the Kautz family began farming in the Lodi region and in 1958, John Kautz Farms was founded. In 1988, John and his wife Gail, along with their children, Stephen, Kurt, Joan and Jack, built a state-of-the-art winery and entertainment facility in the town of Murphys, the heart of the Gold Rush era, producing their first vintage in 1989. They followed this purchase with Bear Creek, one of the oldest continuously running wineries in Lodi, in 1997. Their vineyard holdings grew exponentially over the next 30 years, to 7,000 acres in both the Sierra Foothills and Lodi. Ironstone’s location in Calaveras County, affectionately known as the “Queen of the Sierras,” boasts mineral-rich, volcanic terroir, ideal for growing the wide range of varieties that run the gamut, from Chenin Blanc to Zinfandel.
Producer: Ironstone Vineyards
Region: Sierra Foothills, California
Country: United States
Wine Composition: 80% Cabernet Sauvignon, 11% Merlot, 9% Cabernet Franc
Alcohol: 14.5%
Total Acidity: 5.34 G/L
Residual Sugar: 3.1 G/L
pH: 3.76
Region: Sierra Foothills, California
Country: United States
Wine Composition: 80% Cabernet Sauvignon, 11% Merlot, 9% Cabernet Franc
Alcohol: 14.5%
Total Acidity: 5.34 G/L
Residual Sugar: 3.1 G/L
pH: 3.76
Press Highlights
2019: 93 Pts 'Best Buy', One of the Year's Best Cabernet Sauvignons - Wine & Spirits, Dec 20212013: 91 Pts - 'Cellar Selection' - Wine Enthusiast, May 2014
2012: 'Gold Medal' - Calaveras County Wine Competition, 2015
2012: 'Silver Medal' - San Francisco International Wine Competition, 2015
2012: 'Silver Medal' - California State Fair Wine Competition, 2015
2012: 'Bronze Medal' - Los Angeles International Wine Competition, 2015
2011: 'Silver Medal' - Calaveras Wine Competition, May 2014
2006: 'Silver Medal'- Calaveras County Fair Wine Competition 2010
2006: 'Silver Medal' - San Antonio Wine Competition 2010
2006: 89 Pts - Tasting Panel, December 2009, Publisher’s Picks
2006: 87 Pts - Wine Enthusiast, Dec 2009
2006: 93 Pts - Justwinepoints.com, Aug 2009
Ironstone Vineyards 2012 Grower of the Year, John Kautz Family, California Association of Wine Grape Growers, Jan 2012
Ironstone Vineyards, 2011 Best of Lodi Award, US Commerce Association, Sept 2011
Ironstone Vineyards 2014 Top 25 Most Awesome Tasting Rooms in California, IntoWine, Michael Cervin, May 2014