2020 Iron Hub Chardonnay – An Under the Radar Great Wine
The Winery
Picture from Iron Hub Website
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.
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.
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”
The Wine – “Wine is bottled poetry” – Robert Louis Stevenson
Photo ©Michael Kelly
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.
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 previously 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. Immediately, this wine made my list of Best Wines Tasted in 2021 with the 2018 vintage and again this will in 2024 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
Chose this wine this evening to go with a BBQ’ed chicken dry rub and sauce. The rub consisted of smoked paprika, salt, chili powder, onion powder, garlic powder, brown sugar, chipotle chili powder, dried thyme and pepper. The sauce was a combination of ketchup, molasses (substituted with honey), brown sugar, blackberry preserves, apple cider vinegar and added in additional dry rub. The combination of the spices and rub provided a unique flavoring of delight with a “little heat”.
Photo ©Michael Kelly
After BBQ-ing the chicken, it was accompanied by steamed broccoli and a Yukon Gold potato. The spiciness of the rub and unique tangy sauce paired so nicely with the refreshing and mouth filling Chardonnay. A perfect match of food and wine!
Photo ©Michael Kelly
This wine is always one of my favorites and will need to get back to try some of their other wines!
Sláinte,
Michael