2006 Red Car Amour Fou Pinot Noir

[dananne]

This cool-climate Sonoma Coast wine is supposedly highly-regarded, from respected vineyard sources (La Boheme, Zio Tony and Bartolomei), and from a reputable Sonoma Coast winery. However, it was just plain awful. I couldn't even finish a glass. Aromas of, and I apologize in advance for being somewhat gross, cheesy toe funk. Thin cherry cola flavors, delivered in more of that funk from the nose. Just terrible stuff. I will never buy another Red Car wine, and we've had pretty good luck with them in the past. I don't think it was an off bottle or bottle variation or flawed, either. I think it's just a crappy wine. Avoid it. We paid about $40. It's not worth $4. Alc. 14.2%, as if it matters. Ugh. Anne reports it being worse on the second night, as if it were possible. I'm not trying it again, so I'll have to go on her take.

[This message has been edited by dananne (edited 06-13-2009).]

[winoweenie]

Hatwe the devil out it whenced that happens. That's primarily the reason I like to deal with "Estate Grown, Produced, and Bottled etc...." WW

[Kcwhippet]

Red Car was a really good wine when it was made by Tim Spear, but he left in 2004 to concentrate on his own winery - Clos Mimi (try their Petite Rousse Syrah). Sashi Moorman (from Stolpman) was hired as consulting winemaker for the 2005 vintage on with Chris King (from Lewis Cellars) as assistant winemaker. Unfortunately, one of the founders, and driving force, Mark Estrin died of a brain tumor in early 2005, and I think they lost some of the focus they had in their earlier vintages. Anyway, I have to agree the Red Car wines are definitely not what they used to be. I haven't had one in about two years, and I don't think I'll have another particularly after your TN, Dan.

[dananne]

Well, Bob, I guess that explains both why I used to like Red Car wines, and why I currently just love the Clos Mimi Petite Rousse! Thanks for the info!