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Wine Recommendation
Ironstone Vineyards
2005 Viognier(Lodi)
Ironstone Vineyards is a well-known Calaveras County producer based in Murphys. They own vineyards throughout the Sierra Foothills as well as in Lodi (owner John Kautz was a row crop farmer in Lodi who wisely invested in vineyard land there as well as in the foothills). The winery produces a broad range of wines, including California appellation wines and a Reserve line under the Ironstone label; Sonoma Creek, which sources fruit from Sonoma vineyards; and the new Dog Tail line, another California appellation product.
Winemaker Steve Millier ages the Ironstone wines in both French and American oak, giving added spice and complexity to this fragrant Viognier. Blended with 18% Chardonnay, this wine is pale straw yellow with peach highlights. The nose is highly aromatic and perfumed, as would be expected for the varietal, with notes of peach, apricot, pomegranate, banana, lime, grass, basil, and mint. This tropical beauty is soft and smooth with only very light flecks of oak. It has very refreshing lime zest acidity, and a slightly buttery and pithy finish. The winery recommends pairing this with avocado and tangerine salad or grilled pork with a pineapple salsa. 1,000 cases were produced, and, at just $10 a bottle, this is a smart buy!
Reviewed January 17, 2007 by Catherine Fallis.
Other reviewed wines from Ironstone Vineyards
The Wine
Winery: Ironstone Vineyards |
The Reviewer
Catherine Fallis
Founder and President of Planet Grape LLC, a company committed to bringing the joy of wine, food, and good living into the lives of everyday people, Catherine is creator of the “grape goddess guides to good living,” a series of books, television presentations, seminars, and e-learning programs. The fifth woman in the world to become a Master Sommelier, grape goddess Catherine Fallis is still very much down-to-earth. |