Iron Hub Wines – 2020 Small Lot Chardonnay (And a lot more!)
The Winery
Photo from Iron Hub Winery Site
The winery was founded by Tom Jones from Lava Cap Winery fame in the Apple Hill area near Placerville. Tom completed his master’s degree in Viticulture & Enology from UC Davis, and for almost 30 years developed award-winning wines. Tom and his wife Beth’s new endeavor began in 2014 with the purchase of the 33 acre property that had been known as Amador Foothill Winery. Having control of the grapes from vineyard to bottle was key in his quest for quality control with 17 acres planted in vines.
Photo from Facebook Blog
The name of the winery came about from Tom’s mountain sojourns in the area. On an adventure he discovered an antique, hand-forged wagon wheel hub in a remote area. Thus this small winery on Steiner Road drew a parallel with his goal of making small lot artisan wines similar to the craftsmanship of the “iron hub” he found on a walk. The beautiful new tasting room was opened in December 2017.
Photo from visit and discussion 9/2/2023 ©Michael Kelly
Spencer, their son, following in his father’s footsteps by also graduating from UC Davis with a master’s degree from the Department of Viticulture and Enology, is the winery’s Assistant winemaker. Today, they form a dynamic father-son winemaking team. Tom and Spencer enjoy and demand a hands-on approach to every aspect of the winemaking process, from tending the grapes in the estate vineyards to carefully crafting both red and white wines. They recently added 10 acres managing the Spanish Creek site they are leasing. Having now 27 acres of “estate property” to manage is keeping them very busy. Tom has stated that “Our estate affords me creative control from the vine to the bottle”.
Photos ©Michael Kelly
The winery offers a fairly broad spectrum of wines including Sémillon, Rosé based on Tempranillo, Chardonnay, Roussanne, Sauvignon Blanc, Grenache, Triad (GSM blend), Sangiovese, Barbera, Zinfandel (3 different Zin’s!), Resolute (a blend based on Aglianico) and a Petite Sirah.
Photo ©Michael Kelly
One another wine stood out which was their 2019 Zinfandel “Clockspring” with spiciness and other worldly peppery flavors. I purchased this wine and that story will be forthcoming.
The Wine “Wine is bottled poetry” – Robert Louis Stevenson
Photo ©Michael Kelly
I tasted this Chardonnay once at the winery a few years back and immediately felt it was one of the better produced Chardonnay’s. At that time I went back and picked up a case of it. Chardonnay typically does not do well in the warmer climate of Amador County and when first offered it I was taken back. It was explained that the vineyard for this wine is in Amador County but located at a much higher elevation called Spanish Creek vineyard in the Sierras at an elevation of 2700 feet. The cooler climate is ideal for producing exquisite Chardonnay grapes.
Photo ©Michael Kelly
Pulled this wine to go with the dinner meal this evening. The small lot 2020 Chardonnay on the eyes was a golden straw color with medium viscosity. The first aromas on the nose, was like a lightning strike! Fruits of green apple and pear shouted out their presence in the glass. Secondary flavor of dry apricots were also present. From the first sip a creamy textural wine with previous mentioned fruits came together like a well-orchestrated symphony. Added to the mix was vanilla which was just slightly present on nose and became infused in the glass with gentle oak overtones. The finish was long, poised and glamorous like a family portrait with a hint of brioche. 300 cases were produced and spent 12 months in the barrel. It sells for $34 a bottle and for my money an excellent price. I felt it was so good, I came home with a case! Immediately, this wine made my list of Best Wines Tasted in 2021 with the 2018 vintage and again this will in 2023 with the 2020 vintage (list out mid-December).
The Food and Wine Pairing “Food without wine is a corpse; wine without food is a ghost. United and well matched, they are as body and soul: living partners” – Andre Simon
Photo ©Michael Kelly
The Chardonnay was paired with a lemon garlic shrimp pasta dish. It consisted of fettuccini pasta, shrimp, olive oil, unsalted butter, garlic cloves, dried oregano, spinach, crushed red pepper, parsley flakes and lemon juice. Topped off with fresh Parmesan shredded cheese. The “lightness” of the meal paired wonderfully with this exquisite lightly oaked Chardonnay. Having the Chardonnay at home with a meal reconfirmed my voting it in the past as the Best Wines Tasted!
Photos ©Michael Kelly
Now looking forward to tasting their beautiful grapes of Aglianico (shown above) and their gorgeous looking Barbera (below) as they were not available for tasting at the time of my visit.
Photo ©Michael Kelly
Sláinte,
Michael