Winemaker Notes
Professional Ratings
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
The 2012 Ocean Reserve Blanc de Blancs is scented of oyster shells, lemon zest, yuzu and orange blossoms with a core of green apples. The palate is very fine, with better acidity and length.
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Wilfred Wong of Wine.com
Nicely done, the 2012 Iron Horse Ocean Reserve exhibits excellent elegance. Its aromas exhibit dried citrus and mineral. The crisp finish pairs it well with simple shellfish dishes. (Tasted: July 26, 2017, San Francisco, CA)
Representing the topmost expression of a Champagne house, a vintage Champagne is one made from the produce of a single, superior harvest year. Vintage Champagnes account for a mere 5% of total Champagne production and are produced about three times in a decade. Champagne is typically made as a blend of multiple years in order to preserve the house style; these will have non-vintage, or simply, NV on the label. The term, "vintage," as it applies to all wine, simply means a single harvest year.
Situated on the foggier and colder western edge of the Russian River Valley, almost abutting the Sonoma Coast appellation, Green Valley is one of California’s most reputable Chardonnay and Pinot noir producing regions. It is also a wonderful source of sparkling wines made from these varieties.
Goldridge soils abound throughout the Green Valley appellation. This fine, dark, sandy loam and fractured sandstone is derived from the remains of ancient inland seabeds dating back three to five million years. It is valuable for high quality grape growing because of its excellent drainage and low fertility.