Derp S.
Yelp
Besides being large and overpopulated, the one thing that New York and Los Angeles have in common is that their people are very into their sense of style. Being a northerner myself, I haven't really addressed to give a $%!# about my own style, but Carrol Kemp, the owner and wine maker (who's breaking into the scene here all the way from LA) has busted down the doors and is declaring his sense of style with a finesse bravado that is truly inspiring to the aspiring:
Cool Climate.
The tasting room/lounge is the eye catcher- a bar with stools (if I remember correctly) purse/coat hangers on the waist high portion of the bar- a long beautiful table for large groups, and cool custom jewelry hand made by his wife. Beautiful tasting room, no doubt about it. But let's get to the wine.
Cool Climate.
A chardonnay, several pinots, and several syrahs. Not the overzealously overripe syrahs you might expect from places like Paso Robles or certain areas of Australia, no, these are contained, elegant, and complex. These syrahs are done in the style of the cooler Northern Rhone. I wasn't much of a syrah guy before I tasted at Red Car, but these are simply the shit. I was keeping a few bottles at home for a while, The Fight, and the Cuvee 22. I had an arguement with my girlfriend over something stupid that I don't remember, but when I went out with some friends and left her with her homework, I put the cuvee 22 in front of her, and said "honey, drink this, I'll see you in 45 minutes". By the time I got back, her smile had a slight purple tint, she was a glass and a half into the bottle, and we were in love again.
The pinots are pretty awesome as well, fruit coming from freestone is bomb- and the pinots also express ageability, which to me doesn't matter but there are people out there that like to cellar their wine. This works for them then I suppose, but they are highly drinkable now.
We can also talk about the labels. The label for this brand are off the hook. Very unique digital artwork, it's refreshing to see someone use some real art on their labels.
If you're in the area, and you like cool climate syrah, pinot, and chard, go to Red Car, there ain't a chance they won't disappoint.