Red Car Pinot Noirs

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RED CAR Heaven and Earth Pinot Noir – Organic
Red Car Estate Vineyard Pinot Noir – Organic

red car heaven and earth When growers started planting Pinot Noir in the Russian River Valley, everyone said it was crazy and now winegrowers are pushing the limits on the far West of the Sonoma Coast and achieving spectacular results at elavations and locations that were thought maniacal.

Through new eyes, a desirable low fertility soil managed impeccably with sustainable, organic, and biodynamic style farming practices are producing world-class grapes which makes finding incredible Chardonnays and Pinot Noirs from this region a wonderful adventure.

Red Car started in a Beverly Hills garage by two Hollywood types. The company soon caught the cool weather coastal bug and decamped for Sonoma County, where they have become one of the defining producers of the cool coastal Pinot Noir movement.

Using very little new oak, and none of that with any toast to speak of, these are wines that you can call restrained and Burgundian, all the while tasting unmistakably of pure California fruit – truly a remarkable accomplishment.

Red Car has been crafting Heaven & Earth longer than any other Pinot Noir bottling. Since the inaugural 2007 vintage, it has developed quite a following among their loyal mailing list members and is typically the first of their Pinot Noirs to completely sell out. Located just outside the tiny coastal town of Occidental, the 4.5 acre Heaven & Earth vineyard was planted 15 years ago. Planted to three distinct clones of Pinot Noir and farmed organically by Red Car from day one, this site produces some of our most distinguished Pinot – truly unique to the site itself. The 2018 vintage was unique for the region – cool & long. This was due to a period of seasonal oceanic upwelling in the frigid waters of the Pacific Ocean, invoking cooler than usual temperatures along the coast throughout the month of August. This is in turn afforded fruit from each of the three clones at Heaven & Earth extended hang time, lending to deep, layered, and complex wines.

93 points, Vinous Sweet red berry fruit, mint, spice, and white pepper are some of the many notes that are lifted in this gracious, perfumed and super-expressive 2018 Pinot Noir Heaven and Earth. One of the more airy weightless wines in the range, the Heaven and Earth has tremendous class as well as nuance. The purity of the flavors is striking.

The Estate Vineyard Pinot Noir has become their benchmark wine, offering the ideal synthesis of grace, concentration, and flavor. First planted in 2005 to multiple suitcase selections and Dijon clones of Pinot Noir, the Estate Vineyard Pinot Noir has become their benchmark wine, offering the ideal synthesis of grace, concentration, balance, and flavor. The 2018 vintage from this site displays a level of intensity that is attributed to the maturing of these vines, as well as the favorable growing conditions. The well-drained Ohlson Ranch sandstone soils naturally limit vigor while the cool sunshine, moderated by the fog-covered Pacific Ocean, maintains balanced ripening throughout the growing season. The bright acidity with beautifully integrated, soft and mature tannins provide the perfect balance to the red fruit tones that lift right out of the glass. 95 points Vinous

95 points, Vinous: The 2018 Pinot Noir Estate Vineyard is a gorgeous wine that captures all the energy and savory intensity typical of this coastal site. Crushed flowers, savory herbs, licorice, dried cherry, mint, and sage infuse the 2018 with lovely aromatic complexity to match its medium-weight personality. A touch (9%) of stems adds character without overpowering the wine. The Estate is one of the finer wines I have tasted from Red Car. In a word: terrific.