Red Car Wine Co.

TRL/Staff/Wine 8/9/8

The wines made here are predominantly from Sonoma Coast vineyards. The Freestone AVA is the coolest climate and both their pinot noirs and their chardonnays are grown here.  The tasting fee $15 per person; waived for wine purchases over $50 per person. They also make a cool climate style of syrahs, and are one of the rare few wineries that use a gravity-fed bottling process. For those who don't know, this is a process that is much gentler on the wines and minimizes bottle shock recovery time.

There was no question that the woman pouring for us was intimately familiar with her product. She discussed  some of the successes/failures they've had in past years, the details of how their Fort Ross vineyard was structured, and was eager to introduce us to one that wasn't on the menu. You will undoubtedly get the level of attention and interest from this staff.

2010 Trolley Chardonnay $38//-

This is a very lemony chardonnay. It has a nice cool nose, with hints of an astringent white fruit (lemon). Crisp, but not a complete palate cleanser.

2010 Trolley Pinot Noir $45//$35

This showed with mild spice on the nose with a hint of forest floor. The fruit is subtle and dried, but well integrated with the spices.  Medium-bodied, but typical of a good Pinot Noir.

2010 Heaven & Earth Pinot Noir $65//$40

Slightly milder-bodied; the coastal spices are starting to introduce themselves, along with their dance partner cherry. The spices lead, but you don’t know it until the music starts. The nose isn’t flashy, but the palate intrigues. {Lisa: If you “hamster it”, let it warm up in your cheeks before you taste it, it’s sooo flavorful!}

2010 Red Car Estate Pinot Noir Fort-Ross Seaview $65//$40

This is their first vintage of their estate Pinot Noir.  It has a bright nose and palate. In this dance, the cherrys, mild raspberries, and hints of pomegranate lead. This wine would benefit from some time in the cellar. 

2008 Trolley Syrah $38//$38

Earthy nose, with blackberry highlights. Mild tannins. A very cool-drinking syrah. The pepper appears on the finish to remind you that you’re drinking a syrah.

2008 Twenty-two Syrah $50//$38

Cote’ Rhone style with 1% Viognier and 1% Roussane

No pepper. This is a smooth palate, smooth finish syrah, where the floral nose and mild black plum are dominant. You wouldn’t expect this syrah to have been in new oak because the tannins are muted.  It’s a nice syrah…