One of the beautiful Sonoma wineries, MacRostie was founded years ago by fellow Whitman College grad Steve MacRostie. Chatting with Steve in person a few years back, I was enchanted by his vision to craft terroir-driven Chardonnay and Pinot Noir many years before most people were following that model in Sonoma. Winemaker Heidi Bridenhagen has an illustrious history in the wine industry having an undergraduate degree from the University of Colorado at Boulder. She has worked in the enology laboratory of Jackson Family Wines before working at Clos du Bois, Oyster Bay as well as Sonoma-Cutrer. She has crafted a beautiful set of new release wines.
MacRostie sources from some great vineyards including Dutton Ranch, Sangiacomo, Martinelli and Bacigalupi, and from Steve’s Wildcat Mountain Vineyard which Steve purchased decades back. I have always enjoyed wines from the ‘Wildcat Mountain Vineyard’ and this year’s rendition the 2018 MacRostie ‘Wildcat Mountain’ Chardonnay (OB, 93) shows off beautiful length and seriously good weight and finesse. Learn more about this great Sonoma winery at https://macrostiewinery.com/ Here are the great new wines by MacRostie.
2018 MacRostie ‘Wildcat Mountain’ Chardonnay- Utilizing a range of clones from 95, 76 and I5, this spent ten months in 24% new French oak before bottling. The resultant wine is a full-bodied, beautifully textured Chardonnay that shows Macadamia nut flavors alongside lemon rind and vanilla cream tones on the palate. With glorious length, this outstanding botting has another eight to ten years to go in the cellar. Drink 2021-2029- 93
2018 Macrostie ‘Thale’s Vineyard’ Pinot Noir- The ‘Thale’s Vineyard’ is located in the northern part of the Russian River Valley, as this 14 acre property is named after proprietor Steve MacRostie’s wife. Cola and orange rind flavors play well with tilled soils and salty undercurrent on the palate. Medium-bodied, with gobs of finesse, this beautiful wine will be sure to provide drinking enjoyment over the nest ten years. Drink 2021-2031- 92