Description
Carroll Kemp, Mark Estrin, and Richard Crowell founded Red Car Wine in 2000, producing their first 50 cases of Syrah from a single ton of grapes in a Culver City garage. The name "Red Car" comes from the Pacific Electric trolleys that once ran throughout Los Angeles. The founders, with backgrounds in film and screenwriting, and inspired by Northern Rhône Syrah, embraced a storytelling approach to minimal intervention winemaking. Their initial Syrah garnered significant critical praise. However, to achieve their goal of making balanced, cool-climate wines, they soon turned their focus to the wild coastal ridges north of Bodega Bay. In 2005, they purchased and planted their 125-acre Estate Vineyard in what is now the Fort Ross-Seaview AVA, developing vineyards for Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, and Syrah. After Estrin's passing soon after, the company continued their journey, honoring his legacy and developing a reputation for elegant, balanced wines. Remaining true to their minimalist winemaking roots, Red Car relies on native yeasts, gravity flow, and natural acidity to express the unique qualities of their coastal terroir.
Made from 100% Pinot Noir from Ryder Vineyard, in Forestville and Ramondo vineyard in Sebastopol Hills. The fruit was hand-harvested during the coolness of night and immediately whole cluster pressed, separating the juice and skins in a classic Vin Gris style, resulting in a pale, salmon color. Fermented in a combination of neutral French oak barrels and stainless steel; aged 3 months in 100% neutral French oak, culminating in a low alcohol, refreshing wine with ripe, juicy acidity. Remarkable pale, rose-gold hue. Inviting aromas of red fruit and citrus. The richly fruited palate shows fruity flavors of Rainier cherry, pineberry and lemon zest with a touch of wet stone minerality. The finish is long and textured with mouthwatering acidity all the way through.
