One of the great stops in the Russian River Valley, MacRostie was founded by fellow Whitman College graduate, Steve MacRostie. Speaking to Steve 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 a 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 some fantastic new wines.
MacRostie sources from some great vineyards including Dutton Ranch, Sangiacomo, Martinelli and Bacigalupi, and from Steve’s Wildcat Mountain Vineyard which he purchased decades back. I have always enjoyed wines from the ‘Wildcat Mountain Vineyard’ and this year’s rendition the 2018 MacRostie ‘Wildcat Mountain’ Pinot Noir (OB, 93) is beautifully textured and shows good depth and salty terroir. Learn more about this great Sonoma winery at https://macrostiewinery.com/ Here are the great new wines by MacRostie.
2019 MacRostie ‘Sonoma Coast’ Chardonnay- The 2019 ‘Sonoma Coast’ Chardonnay shows off rich apricot with Bartlett pear and vanilla creme brûlée flavors. With a great veil of tension and light salinity, this is fantastic stuff that will provide drinking enjoyment over the next five to seven years. Drink 2021-2027- 91
2018 MacRostie ‘Wildcat Mountain’ Pinot Noir- The 2018 MacRostie ‘Wildcat Mountain’ Pinot Noir opens with aromas of red currant jelly, woven together with menthol, Bing cherry and strawberry tones. The palate is elegant and refined with a great core of red fruits and a soft texture. With good length, and a light dusting of salinity, this beautiful new bottling will cellar well over the next decade. Drink 2021-2031- 93