- About This Wine
- Ratings & Reviews
- Tasting Notes
About This Wine
Ratings & Reviews
Tasting Notes
ABOUT THIS WINE
WINEMAKING NOTES
TASTING NOTES
The 2022 Iron + Sand Cabernet Sauvignon is a striking embodiment of Paso Robles terroir—a wine that marries place and pedigree in a deeply satisfying bottle. Sourced primarily from the San Miguel District AVA, where the diurnal shifts stretch to dramatic 50-degree swings, this Cabernet benefits from rare conditions that sculpt powerful yet balanced fruit. The sandy alluvial soils and consistent Paso warmth shape berries with expressive ripeness and supple tannins. A smaller portion, from the Steffano II Vineyard in El Pomar, adds finesse and backbone, courtesy of the calcareous soils and cooling marine influence through the Templeton Gap. The result is a Cabernet that not only commands attention but holds it with confident structure and graceful poise.
In the glass, the wine reveals a deep, youthful purple hue—already signaling the richness within. The nose is forward and evocative, opening with waves of ripe cherry, raspberry compote, and crushed plum layered with savory elements of anise, roasted coffee bean, cedar, and a whisper of tobacco. There is an undercurrent of earthy warmth and sweet spice—clove, cinnamon, and a gentle vanilla oak presence—woven seamlessly into the aromatic tapestry. What’s remarkable is how the wine stays fresh and lifted, thanks to the lively natural acidity preserved by the extreme day-to-night temperature shifts during ripening.
On the palate, the 2022 Iron + Sand offers a supple, mouth-filling experience. The fruit concentration is luxurious yet nimble, with bright red and black fruits gliding across the mid-palate before giving way to a deeper core of dark chocolate, dried herbs, and mineral nuance. Tannins are finely grained—firm enough to provide structure and ageability, yet so polished they almost disappear into the wine’s satin-like texture. Less than 6% new oak was used, allowing the purity of the fruit and the signature Paso sun-soaked minerality to shine. The finish is long, graceful, and mouthwatering—a testament to the wine’s balance and breeding.
The 2022 vintage posed serious challenges, from persistent drought to late harvest pressure, yet this bottling triumphs over adversity. A brief but intense heat spike in late summer accelerated ripening, concentrating flavors without sacrificing acidity. This is Paso Robles Cabernet at its most compelling—authentic, expressive, and complete. Pair it with almond wood grilled chicken, poblano grits, or let it age gracefully for a decade. Either way, the 2022 Iron + Sand Cabernet delivers power, polish, and a deep sense of place.
Alcohol: 14.1%
In the glass, the wine reveals a deep, youthful purple hue—already signaling the richness within. The nose is forward and evocative, opening with waves of ripe cherry, raspberry compote, and crushed plum layered with savory elements of anise, roasted coffee bean, cedar, and a whisper of tobacco. There is an undercurrent of earthy warmth and sweet spice—clove, cinnamon, and a gentle vanilla oak presence—woven seamlessly into the aromatic tapestry. What’s remarkable is how the wine stays fresh and lifted, thanks to the lively natural acidity preserved by the extreme day-to-night temperature shifts during ripening.
On the palate, the 2022 Iron + Sand offers a supple, mouth-filling experience. The fruit concentration is luxurious yet nimble, with bright red and black fruits gliding across the mid-palate before giving way to a deeper core of dark chocolate, dried herbs, and mineral nuance. Tannins are finely grained—firm enough to provide structure and ageability, yet so polished they almost disappear into the wine’s satin-like texture. Less than 6% new oak was used, allowing the purity of the fruit and the signature Paso sun-soaked minerality to shine. The finish is long, graceful, and mouthwatering—a testament to the wine’s balance and breeding.
The 2022 vintage posed serious challenges, from persistent drought to late harvest pressure, yet this bottling triumphs over adversity. A brief but intense heat spike in late summer accelerated ripening, concentrating flavors without sacrificing acidity. This is Paso Robles Cabernet at its most compelling—authentic, expressive, and complete. Pair it with almond wood grilled chicken, poblano grits, or let it age gracefully for a decade. Either way, the 2022 Iron + Sand Cabernet delivers power, polish, and a deep sense of place.
Alcohol: 14.1%
After careful harvesting, grapes were brought to the winery for processing. Our unique winery set up, with fermenters situated on top of storage tanks, allows for minimal pump usage while sending pomace to our press. The wine underwent three pump overs per day, with each lot receiving custom scheduling to ensure appropriate levels of extraction to fully take advantage of the vineyards’ terroir. A small portion of the wine (less than 6%) was placed into first year French and American oak, contributing to palate weight, a smooth texture and mouthfeel complexity. The rest of the wine was aged in neutral barrels for 10-11 months allowing for the extraordinary Paso Robles terroir to shine through in the final blend.
Lively aromatics leap from the glass with notes of fresh apricot, nectarine, orange blossom and honeysuckle. While the delicate white flower aromas are indicative of a cooler growing season, the luscious stone fruit tones reflect the warm harvest weather in 2022. Flavors of white peach and tamarind fill the mouth, complemented by flinty, linear minerality and exciting freshness. Polished and pure on the palate, this wine finishes with impressive length.
