Description
Red Car’s original estate vineyard, planted in 2005, crowns the northwestern corner of King Ridge Road above Fort Ross on the coastline of Sonoma County. It sits at 900–1000 feet and is defined by giant coastal redwoods and the fog-laden Pacific Ocean. This proximity to the ocean moderates temperatures and makes it susceptible to rain and fog during the flowering season, which keeps yields very low. The vines are planted in fractured marine sandstone that weathered over millions of years from an uplifted seabed known as the Ohlson Ranch Formation. This soil offers the same viticultural advantages as the oft-referenced Goldridge series found in the lower West Sonoma Coast elevations around Sebastopol, yet differs by including less clay and more stone than sand in its composition. The vineyard is densely planted to multiple “clones” of Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Syrah. Over 90% of which are actually heritage field selections such as Jackson 16, Calera and other special “suitcase” budwood. The Chardonnay is 100% from an old Wente “clone” that was chosen over the course of decades by Larry Hyde specifically for the small size of its clusters and mineral flavor profile.
The Red Car Chardonnay is cool Climate low-oak Chardonnay with bright acidity, wet stone minerality, lemon and green apple.
Score: 92 Points, Wine Enthusiast
