Ironstone Reserve Chardonnay

The 2018 Reserve Chardonnay is a classic Chardonnay full of expressive flavors and aromas. Exhibiting fine mineral qualities that are a hallmark of grapes produced in the Sierra Foothills, the Reserve Chardonnay has an extremely concentrated tropical fruit flavor with nuances of butterscotch, vanilla and ripe apple. The nose opens with savory scents of butter toffee and vanilla followed by exotic notes of spice and melon. Hay Station Ranch has been in the Kautz Family for four generations. What started as a cattle ranch has now become home to over 100 acres of premium mountain vineyards located adjacent to the Ironstone winery and entertainment complex. Ironstone’s Reserve Program focuses on three key elements: appellation, vineyards and winemaking artistry. Fully mature grapes were harvested on September 4, 2018 at 26.0 Brix. Prime Chardonnay clusters were hand selected for their outstanding quality and then experienced a gentle, whole-cluster pressing. The wine was aged “sur lie” in new French oak barrels that were hand stirred weekly for the initial four months of the aging process. This process caused the wine to undergo spontaneous malolactic fermentation. The casks were stored in our underground wine caverns that remain a natural 60 degrees Fahrenheit year-round temperature. This Chardonnay received additional bottle aging prior to release.