March 2017

93 Points, Wine Enthusiast Advance Buying Guide
“Minty in forest pine and seductively silky, this wine is wickedly sauvage and complex, offering delicately layered flavors of wild strawberry, black tea and crushed rock. The tannins are supportive and supple.” —Virginie Boone, November 13, 2018

94 Points, Wine Review Online
“A bright razzleberry – my term for raspberry and spice intermingled perfectly – aroma profile invites, and the palate delivers the promise, with citric acidity enlivening the fruit and carrying the spice through a bold, lingering finish. A great solo glass for fans of enthusiastic elegance, or pair with game bird or roast pork. Who know great quality could be this much fun?” —Rich Cook, December 4, 2018

90 Points, Wine Spectator
“Smoky, toasty oak adds flavor and texture, joining zesty pear, melon, green apple and honeydew notes, ending with a tapered finish that brings all the elements together. Drink now.” —Jim Laube, June 2018

91 Points, Wine Enthusiast Advance Buying Guide
“A muted nose of toasted oak and brioche leads to an expansive and fleshy midpalate of apple and peach in this moderately structured, medium-bodied and balanced wine. The finish is lingering and vibrantly bright in acidity.” —Virginie Boone, June, 2018

90 Points, Wine Advocate
“The 2016 Chardonnay Russian River Valley opens with lemon peel and grapefruit notes over nuances of crushed stones, lime leaves and lemongrass. Medium-bodied with a refreshing line of acid cutting through the intense citrus flavors, it finishes on a mineral note. 782 cases produced.” —Lisa Perrotti-Brown, April 27, 2018

93 Points, Wine Review Online
“Steve MacRostie strikes again with this macro AVA bottling, which includes sources like Bacigalupi, Dutton and so forth. A better name might be ‘All Star’ – a great collection of sources artfully blended. It’s all here – apple, pear, citrus, soft oak spice, viscous entry, singing acidity and a long integrated finish. Extremely well-made wine, as always!” —Rich Cook, December 4, 2018

93 Points, Wine Enthusiast
This wine is the sum of many spectacular sites—including Ritchie and Heintz Vineyards—some of the cooler climate spots for grapes in the Occidental. Together they sing a tasteful tune that’s salty and demure, with an elegant imprint of green apple, ocean breeze and stone. —Virginie Boone, November, 2017

90 Points, Wine Spectator
Offers clean aromas of fresh-cut flowers, with honeydew, light citrus, peach and tangerine notes holding their own, diminishing ever so slightly on the aftertaste. Drink now through 2020. 954 cases made. –JL, June 15, 2017

94 Points, Wine Review Online
“Steve MacRostie has long been among the most respected Chardonnay producers in California and I lay it at the feet of balance. The MacRostie Chardonnays typically exhibit outstanding balance between fruit and acid, with moderate levels of alcohol. This vintage offers notes of brioche, lemon oil and baking spices, with a luxurious body and a clean finish.” —Robert Whitley, Aug. 22, 2017

4 Stars, The Press Democrat
“A rich and creamy chardonnay with aromas of jasmine and flavors of lime, mineral and green apple. Bright acidity balances the lush texture. Lovely.” —Peg Melnik, Sept. 6, 2017

90 Points, Wine Enthusiast Advance Buying Guide
“Defined by its voluptuous body, this wine is also elegantly accented in salted honey and lemon peel, complex and savory on the palate. The finish is marked by ripe apple and juicy acidity.” —Virginie Boone, September 2016

90 Points, Wine Review Online
“This is a citrus driven Chardonnay that will work when you want something crisp like an aromatic white, but that has more palate weight and fullness. Lemon, lime and mandarin are all present, joined by a strong mineral streak and baked bread. It seems tailor made to the summer heat.” —Rich Cook, June 14, 2016

90 Points, The Tasting Panel
“Smooth and creamy with fresh fruit, tangy acidity and silky texture; bright, fresh and balanced.” —Anthony Dias Blue, May-June 2016

94 Points, Wine Enthusiast Advance Buying Guide
“This wine is fruity, fresh and lengthy, with expansive layers of blueberry, strawberry and flowers. From the producer’s first estate vineyard, it offers lasting impressions of earth and spice.”
— Virginie Boone, June, 2018

93 Points, Wine Advocate
“The 2015 Pinot Noir Thale’s Vineyard is pale ruby-purple colored and scented of kirsch, cranberry sauce and rose hip tea with hints of underbrush and lavender. Medium to full-bodied with great poise and expression in the mouth, it features very fine, silt-like tannins and a lively lift to the finish. 740 cases produced.” —Lisa Perrotti-Brown, April 27, 2018

96 Points, Wine Review Online
“A beautifully elegant vineyard designate from a spot that’s new to me, and no doubt will soon be sought after if it’s not already. High toned cherry, cola and cinnamon aromas entice, and lead to a palate that shows optimal balance between silky texture and acidic pop, showcasing the flavors promised by the nose and finishing mouth-watering and lively all at once. Expertly executed!” —Rich Cook, April 10, 2018

90 Points, Pinot File
“Steve and spouse Thale founded MacRostie together in 1987. Thale’s Vineyard surrounds the winery’s new home in Westside Road in the Russian River Valley. The winery’s first estate vineyard. Clones 2A and 23. 100% de-stemmed, inoculated with yeast after a 3-day cold soak. Aged 12 months in French oak barrels, 37% new. Moderately light garnet color in the glass. The nose offers a combination of fruity black cherry aromas and savory notes of earthy flora, herbs and toasty oak. Light to mid weight in style, offering flavors of Bing cherry and purple grape with an accent of baking spice and herbs. Somewhat reserved in character, but displaying satisfactory mid palate intensity and a juicy finish.” – Robert Whitley, Jan. 20, 2018

Four Stars, The Press Democrat
“This is a full-bodied pinot with notes of black cherry, blueberry and toast. It’s buoyed by crisp acid with plenty of upfront, generous fruit. Impressive.” —Peg Melnik, March 13, 2018

90 Points, Wine Advocate
“Pale to medium ruby in color, the 2014 Pinot Noir Thale’s Vineyard is scented of red cherries, raspberry preserves, dried herbs and fertile earth. Fresh, medium-bodied and elegantly styled, the palate is soft and fruity with good length.” —Lisa Perrotti-Brown, June 2017

93 Points, Wine Enthusiast
From a vineyard in the Middle Reach area of the appellation, which is relatively warm, this shows an intensity of earthy forest and black tea as well as cardamom. Velvety thick, it has a freshness of acidity that buzzes along on the palate, prompted by flavors of cranberry, cherry and tangerine. —Virginie Boone, Feb. 1, 2018