Tastes of White Acacia flowers, lychee nut, & honeydew
The Pearl Marsanne/Roussanne white wine blend is back due to a wonderful opportunity to seize white Rhone varietals at the Alder Springs Vineyard in the cool and crisp western portion of Mendocino county. Utilizing native yeast fermentation and neutral French oak barrels, this wine expresses the unique characteristics of the vineyard and varietals used in its production. The natural alcohol level is 13.5% and the wine features classic white Rhone characteristics of flowers, dried farm herbs, wild sage, and pale straw. This wine has a liquid gold appearance that yields a bouquet of fresh pears and wild acacia flowers. On the palate, the flavors start as a flowery herbal tea and evolve into a rich honey and almond oil. Over time, it will develop a silky texture and intensify in both color and richness.
Our Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Syrah are grown in cold-climate vineyards on the edge of the Pacific. This band of mountains along the West Sonoma Coast offers the ideal climate for our winemaking pursuits.
We are hands-on farmers, part of a small cadre of wineries in our region who are fortunate to grow a large majority of our own fruit. For several years now we have worked hard to go beyond sustainability and have integrated the concepts and principles of organic, biodynamic and permaculture systems into our farming as we search for nature’s ideal pathways.
Wine is important because it connects us to nature. But to offer meaning beyond itself, a wine has to come from a certain place, not just any place. And the winemaker must stand aside and allow that place to transmit its story without manipulation. This is our never-ending pursuit at Red Car.
Available States
AZ, CA, CO, CT, DC, FL, GA, ID, IL, IN, IA, KS, LA, ME, MD, MA, MI, MN, MO, MT, NV, NH, NJ, NM, NY, NC, OH, OR, PA, RI, SC, TN, TX, VT, VA, WA, WV, WI, WY
How much more are you saving by buying a full case?
(Note: Tax & Shipping not included in savings calculations)
2016 Red Car The Pearl White Wine - $40 = 22.21%
Hi! First Ratting on Casemates (some may remember me from the “old” days) and so excited to have been chosen - thank you!!
I have been holding on to this bottle for almost 2 weeks now, and thanks to a handy reminder app on my phone, I didn’t forget my responsibility
It’s been waiting in my refrigerator (a little colder than most whites should be appreciated, I know), and I popped it to enjoy with some leftover prosciutto and rosemary-wrapped pork loin for dinner (no, I haven’t started cooking - Mom visited over Christmas - otherwise it would have more likely accompanied some sad salami and string cheese, sorry).
This is a perfectly quaffable, nondescript white blend, that, had a Google search not informed me is 90% Marsanne and 10% Roussanne, I might have guessed had some Grenache Blanc or Viognier as contributors. It’s not as overly complex as any of that might sound - I didn’t get a lot of floral notes or overpowering bouquet, but I did appreciate the neutral oak and surprisingly nuanced fruit. It has more minerality than I would have expected, but is also not as dry as I would normally prefer. Still, I continued to enjoy it with some Ben & Jerry’s Mint Chocolate Cookie Ice Cream after finishing dinner.
That said, I should probably have mentioned earlier that pairing isn’t usually my focus. I love wine, wine is my focus - I tend to choose my wine before I look at the dinner menu, though I do make an effort when anyone else is involved (as my “training” requires), but I’m pretty easygoing, and totally happy as long as the wine is good and the food is good…
I don’t know if all of that helps, but I can say I probably wouldn’t have bit on this without a taste - now, I’d lean more towards a buy. This wine isn’t trying to be anything it’s not, and I can appreciate that on so many levels. It’s very drinkable, and I don’t believe would offend anyone at your table. All said, and not being much of a subscriber to arbitrary wine ratings, I’d give it a hearty thumbs up. Enjoy!
@alexa84 Thanks for this, LabRat!
But your description lack a bit of precision on a point that I am trying to figure out: what does “not as dry as I would normally prefer” means?
Is it off dry like a Sauvignon Blanc or a Chardonnay, or is it not dry as a Riesling? Thanks!
@salpo In re-reading your question now, I’m not sure I will have answered it in my attempt to respond this morning (below) - I think we might have different understandings of what “dry” means in a wine?
I’d say I lean towards a “puckery” dry preference, if that makes sense (easier for me to describe in reds). However, I would not describe this as off-dry like some Rieslings. And I don’t think of Sauv Blancs and Chardonnays as off-dry, because off-dry in my book still holds some residual sugar (so still a little “sweet” for lack of a better description). I didn’t think this was off-dry, either… If we’re going in terms of comparisons, Sauv Blancs have the minerality that I like, but if you enjoy when the winemaker blends in a little Semillon for texture (I sometimes think of it as a little creamier with the Semillon?) you’d probably like this. The Chardonnay category has too broad a range for me to get going on - I’m late for work now, sorry! I’ll check back later today to see if that helped at all
@alexa84 I think a very good description of dryness in a white. For a wine with Alcohol: 13.5%
Average Brix: 22° it is unlikely that there is any residual sugar. You are correct on the Chardonnay description as many on the market now do have a very slight RS.
@jmruru I can see how all of that might have sounded a little too technical - my apologies - I tried my darndest for it not to. So, is it sweet? I would say no
@jmruru Now, re-reading, I think I might have originally droned on without really giving a straight answer - I was having a little too much fun talking about wine again (it’s been a while)
I hope you were able to get something out of it either way - if I can clarify anything else, please just ask!
Verdict-Borderline too acidic for my household, but has a nice roundness to it that redeemed it. Not sweet at all, sorta like a more complex chenin blanc, essentially. Not probably one I’ll pick up again, but not one relegated to the sangria, so I might if the price is right and I’m low on whites.
Tasting Notes
Tastes of White Acacia flowers, lychee nut, & honeydew
The Pearl Marsanne/Roussanne white wine blend is back due to a wonderful opportunity to seize white Rhone varietals at the Alder Springs Vineyard in the cool and crisp western portion of Mendocino county. Utilizing native yeast fermentation and neutral French oak barrels, this wine expresses the unique characteristics of the vineyard and varietals used in its production. The natural alcohol level is 13.5% and the wine features classic white Rhone characteristics of flowers, dried farm herbs, wild sage, and pale straw. This wine has a liquid gold appearance that yields a bouquet of fresh pears and wild acacia flowers. On the palate, the flavors start as a flowery herbal tea and evolve into a rich honey and almond oil. Over time, it will develop a silky texture and intensify in both color and richness.
Specifications
Price Comparison
Not for sale online, $384/case MSRP
About The Winery
Our Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Syrah are grown in cold-climate vineyards on the edge of the Pacific. This band of mountains along the West Sonoma Coast offers the ideal climate for our winemaking pursuits.
We are hands-on farmers, part of a small cadre of wineries in our region who are fortunate to grow a large majority of our own fruit. For several years now we have worked hard to go beyond sustainability and have integrated the concepts and principles of organic, biodynamic and permaculture systems into our farming as we search for nature’s ideal pathways.
Wine is important because it connects us to nature. But to offer meaning beyond itself, a wine has to come from a certain place, not just any place. And the winemaker must stand aside and allow that place to transmit its story without manipulation. This is our never-ending pursuit at Red Car.
Available States
AZ, CA, CO, CT, DC, FL, GA, ID, IL, IN, IA, KS, LA, ME, MD, MA, MI, MN, MO, MT, NV, NH, NJ, NM, NY, NC, OH, OR, PA, RI, SC, TN, TX, VT, VA, WA, WV, WI, WY
Estimated Delivery
Friday, January 25th - Tuesday, January 29th
Such a cool label ! Red car is a hot winery right now. Enjoyed this wine a lot.
Sounds awesome. I’m not super familiar with these varietals, outside of the random Wellington bottles. Is it a bit off dry?
@CruelMelody I wonder the same thing. The description leads to believe that it is off dry. If it is not - I prefer dry whites - I’m in for a case
Don’t need any more whites right now but am tempted for maybe four as their Syrah was one of my favorite Casemates purchases so far . . .
Red Car The Pearl White Wine
4 bottles for $59.99 $15/bottle + $2/bottle shipping
Case of 12 for $139.99 $11.67/bottle + $1/bottle shipping
2016 Red Car The Pearl
How much more are you saving by buying a full case?
(Note: Tax & Shipping not included in savings calculations)
2016 Red Car The Pearl White Wine - $40 = 22.21%
Hi! First Ratting on Casemates (some may remember me from the “old” days) and so excited to have been chosen - thank you!!
I have been holding on to this bottle for almost 2 weeks now, and thanks to a handy reminder app on my phone, I didn’t forget my responsibility
It’s been waiting in my refrigerator (a little colder than most whites should be appreciated, I know), and I popped it to enjoy with some leftover prosciutto and rosemary-wrapped pork loin for dinner (no, I haven’t started cooking - Mom visited over Christmas - otherwise it would have more likely accompanied some sad salami and string cheese, sorry).
This is a perfectly quaffable, nondescript white blend, that, had a Google search not informed me is 90% Marsanne and 10% Roussanne, I might have guessed had some Grenache Blanc or Viognier as contributors. It’s not as overly complex as any of that might sound - I didn’t get a lot of floral notes or overpowering bouquet, but I did appreciate the neutral oak and surprisingly nuanced fruit. It has more minerality than I would have expected, but is also not as dry as I would normally prefer. Still, I continued to enjoy it with some Ben & Jerry’s Mint Chocolate Cookie Ice Cream after finishing dinner.
That said, I should probably have mentioned earlier that pairing isn’t usually my focus. I love wine, wine is my focus - I tend to choose my wine before I look at the dinner menu, though I do make an effort when anyone else is involved (as my “training” requires), but I’m pretty easygoing, and totally happy as long as the wine is good and the food is good…
I don’t know if all of that helps, but I can say I probably wouldn’t have bit on this without a taste - now, I’d lean more towards a buy. This wine isn’t trying to be anything it’s not, and I can appreciate that on so many levels. It’s very drinkable, and I don’t believe would offend anyone at your table. All said, and not being much of a subscriber to arbitrary wine ratings, I’d give it a hearty thumbs up. Enjoy!
@alexa84 Thanks for this, LabRat!
But your description lack a bit of precision on a point that I am trying to figure out: what does “not as dry as I would normally prefer” means?
Is it off dry like a Sauvignon Blanc or a Chardonnay, or is it not dry as a Riesling? Thanks!
@salpo In re-reading your question now, I’m not sure I will have answered it in my attempt to respond this morning (below) - I think we might have different understandings of what “dry” means in a wine?
@alexa84 I think I got what you said. Thanks!
I’d say I lean towards a “puckery” dry preference, if that makes sense (easier for me to describe in reds). However, I would not describe this as off-dry like some Rieslings. And I don’t think of Sauv Blancs and Chardonnays as off-dry, because off-dry in my book still holds some residual sugar (so still a little “sweet” for lack of a better description). I didn’t think this was off-dry, either… If we’re going in terms of comparisons, Sauv Blancs have the minerality that I like, but if you enjoy when the winemaker blends in a little Semillon for texture (I sometimes think of it as a little creamier with the Semillon?) you’d probably like this. The Chardonnay category has too broad a range for me to get going on - I’m late for work now, sorry! I’ll check back later today to see if that helped at all
@alexa84 I think a very good description of dryness in a white. For a wine with Alcohol: 13.5%
Average Brix: 22° it is unlikely that there is any residual sugar. You are correct on the Chardonnay description as many on the market now do have a very slight RS.
@alexa84 I am not up to your level on these things. So is the wine sweet? Is that what you are saying?
@jmruru I can see how all of that might have sounded a little too technical - my apologies - I tried my darndest for it not to. So, is it sweet? I would say no
@jmruru Now, re-reading, I think I might have originally droned on without really giving a straight answer - I was having a little too much fun talking about wine again (it’s been a while)
I hope you were able to get something out of it either way - if I can clarify anything else, please just ask!
@alexa84 I thank you! I figured that was what you were saying. I just didn’t want to get it if it was sweet. Cheers!
Thread hijack: Do you like Icewine? Check out the Buffalo/WNY Ice Wine Gathering coming up in less than two weeks!
Verdict-Borderline too acidic for my household, but has a nice roundness to it that redeemed it. Not sweet at all, sorta like a more complex chenin blanc, essentially. Not probably one I’ll pick up again, but not one relegated to the sangria, so I might if the price is right and I’m low on whites.