Month: April 2024

Five MacRostie wines have been recommended by Tom Capo in the June/July 2024 issue of Wine Enthusiast Advance Buying Guide.

Wine Enthusiast Advance Buying Guide

June/July 2024

Tom Capo

2022 Nightwing Vineyard Chardonnay – 94 Points: Outstanding: a wine of superior character and style

“There’s a pleasing freshness and zip to this lighter-bodied Chardon­nay. The nose shows tropical fruit aromas from papaya to pineapple, with a kiss of lemon zest. On the palate, juicy pear and apple fruit dominate, with a lovely orange blossom note and a wash of vibrant acidity.”

2020 Blanc de Blancs – 93 Points: Outstanding: a wine of superior character and style

“This sparkler is a marvel­ous homage to Blanc de Blanc Champagne. Classic biscuit and toasty brioche aromas from 30 months of lees aging mingle with green apple, tangerine and honeysuckle on the nose. The palate is broad and creamy but bolstered by a razor-sharp lemon-lime acidity.”

2022 Mirabelle Vineyard Chardonnay – 93 Points: Outstanding: a wine of superior character and style

“Sunshine in a glass. The nose of this immaculately balanced Char­donnay incorporates aromas of crème brûlée, hon­eysuckle and pineapple. The palate is equally bright, with a tropical personality showing zesty citrus and ripe pear flavors. A textural finish brings loads of spice and zippy acid.”

2022 Olivet Lane Chardonnay – 92 Points: Outstanding: a wine of superior character and style

“This lively Chardon­nay displays pithy tangerine and bright pear aromas on the nose. The palate shows vanilla and crème brûlée flavors from the barrel regimen, but juicy acidity drives the fruit forward towards a long and lemon-scented finish.”

2022 Sangiacomo Vineyard Chardonnay – 92 Points: Outstanding: a wine of superior character and style

“The nose of this wine comes alive with a gentle swirl, slowly giving off aromas of fresh apple, pie crust and river rock. The palate shows a very gentle touch with the oak, feeling more fresh and lively than rich or weighty. There’s subtlety here that will pair nicely with oys­ters or other raw shellfish.”

Three MacRostie wines have been recommended and reviewed by Owen Bargreen.

MACROSTIE VINEYARDS

January 25, 2024

Today we share one of the outstanding range of wines of MacRostie Vineyards. As far as wines that you will find at supermarkets go, these exude value year after year. I’ve had several memorable visiting experiences to MacRostie, which was founded by fellow Whitman alum Steve MacRostie. For many years I have loved these wines, particularly the value that their entry-level wines bring. Winemaker Heidi Bridenhagen has a great history in the wine industry. After attaining her undergraduate degree from the University of Colorado at Boulder she worked in the laboratory of Jackson Family Wines before working at Clos du Bois, Oyster Bay as well as Sonoma-Cutrer. The new wines are all outstanding coming from the 2020 and 2019 vintages.

MacRostie sources from some great vineyards including Dutton Ranch, Sangiacomo, Martinelli and Bacigalupi, and from MacRostie’s Estate Wildcat Mountain Vineyard which was purchased decades back. They have crafted another stunning value, their 2022 Macrostie ‘Sonoma Coast’ Chardonnay (OB, 92) which at 28 bucks retail totally overdelivers for Sonoma Chardonnay.  I also loved the new 2020 MacRostie ‘Blanc de Blancs’ Sparkling Wine (OB, 92) which is lithe and rich with a soft mousse. Learn more about this great Sonoma winery at https://macrostiewinery.com/ Here are the outstanding wines by MacRostie.

2020 MacRostie Blanc de Blancs Sparkling Wine – 92 Points

““This 2020 Sparkling Wine comes from the Kiser Ranch in the Sangiacomo Vineyard. Sourced from the Sangiacomo Family Kiser Ranch this offers a smooth mousse upon the approach. Brioche and toasted hazelnut tones combine with shades of lemon rind and white grapefruit flavors all combine on the palate. This is really fantastic stuff that shows good poise and richness from this difficult vintage. Drink 2024-2032- 92″ — Owen Bargreen

2022 MacRostie Sonoma Coast Chardonnay – 92 Points

“This 2022 Sonoma Coast bottling comes for the Sangiacomo and Ricci Vineyards in Carneros — and 25 different sites in total. Stored in only 15% new French oak, this is rich and viscous wine that offers a beautiful range of tropical, citrus and melon fruit flavors alongside crème burley accents on the palate. Really good, savor this outstanding value now and over the next eight years to come. Over 14 thousand cases produced of this beautiful wine. Drink 2024-2032.” — Owen Bargreen

2022 MacRostie Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir – 91 Points

“Another really good value under 40 bucks, the 2022 MacRostie Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir comes from the Russian River Valley, Petaluma gap and Carneros regions. Cherry cola and pomegranate seed flavors mingle well with salty soils on the palate. Delicious, forward and juicy, enjoy now and over the next eight years to come. Drink 2024-2032.” — Owen Bargreen