Red Car Wines Showcases Diverse Pinot Noir and Syrah Offerings

Tasting notes highlight the winery's focus on Sonoma and Central Coast fruit.

Published on Feb. 16, 2026

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Wine writer Randy Fuller recently attended a tasting of Red Car Wines at The Wine House in West Los Angeles, where he sampled five of the winery's offerings, including Pinot Noir and Syrah from the Sonoma Coast and Central Coast regions. The tasting featured wines that showcased a range of flavors and aromas, from the deep purple and peppery Trolley Pinot Noir to the earthy and musky Tomorrowland Syrah.

Why it matters

Red Car Wines is a boutique winery that has built a reputation for producing high-quality Pinot Noir and Syrah from premier California growing regions. The tasting highlights the winery's commitment to showcasing the unique terroir of Sonoma and Central Coast fruit, offering wine enthusiasts a diverse range of styles and flavor profiles.

The details

The tasting featured five Red Car wines: the Trolley Pinot Noir 2007, The Aphorist Pinot Noir 2007, Heaven & Earth Pinot Noir 2007, Tomorrowland Syrah 2007, and The Fight Syrah 2006. The Trolley Pinot Noir was described as having a deep purple color with a lavender nose, black pepper, and leather flavors, as well as good acidity and a full mouthfeel. The Aphorist Pinot Noir had a fruitier nose and a mellow taste full of berries and earth, while the Heaven & Earth Pinot Noir featured soft leather and violet notes. The Tomorrowland Syrah was noted for its pleasantly odd, earthy and musky aromas and flavors, while The Fight Syrah had an inky color, blasting fruit on the nose, and dark, acidic flavors of coffee and leather.

  • The tasting took place about ten days prior to the article's publication on February 15, 2026.

The players

Carrol Kemp

Co-owner and winemaker of Red Car Wines.

Richard Crowell

Co-owner of Red Car Wines.

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What they’re saying

“From what I picked up by eavesdropping on tasters, it appeared the wines received a mostly favorable review.”

— Randy Fuller, Wine writer (nowandzin.com)

The takeaway

Red Car Wines has established itself as a producer of high-quality Pinot Noir and Syrah that showcase the unique terroir of Sonoma and Central Coast fruit. The diverse range of flavors and styles on display at this tasting demonstrates the winery's commitment to exploring the full potential of these premier California growing regions.