Wine Enthusiast Scores intro image
Wine Enthusiast Scores
Virginie Boone, December 2021

2018 Charles Heintz Vineyard Chardonnay
94 Points: Superb; a great achievement

“From the great coastal site, this white sings in fruitful intensity and complex layers of flavor, a burst of Meyer lemon and grapefruit crispness complemented by richer undertones of Meyer lemon meringue and toasted pineapple.”

2018 The Key Chardonnay
94 Points: Superb; a great achievement

“High acidity leads the way to a lively, fresh palate of grapefruit, kiwi and lemon in this lengthy, textured white. Impressive from start to finish, it shows a nice integration of oak and tannin, with hints of baking spice, flint and stone.”

2018 Olivet Lane Pinot Noir
94 Points: Superb; a great achievement

“This tiny production is delicate in color and texture, offering nuanced notes of pomegranate, rhubarb and rose petal. With an edgy elegance, and impressive length on the palate, it finishes with a citrus-driven burst of acidity that lasts for days.”

2019 Bacigalupi Vineyard Chardonnay
92 Points: Excellent; highly recommended

“This wine offers balanced richness and intensity, a signature of the site, flowing in pineapple, Gravenstein apple and melon flavors. The texture is smooth and opulent, with a note of sea spray, wet stone and lasting hint of anise.”

2019 Durell Vineyard Chardonnay
92 Points: Excellent; highly recommended

“A whiff of matchstick leads to layered and intense fruit flavors, a bold, deep and fleshy expression of oak, pineapple and crème brûlée. The acidity is nuanced and supportive and the texture grippy and youthful.”

2018 Terra de Promissio Pinot Noir
92 Points: Excellent; highly recommended

“Exuberant in a mélange of spicy cherry, raspberry and sea-spray-like salinity, this balanced red shows underlying elegance and coastal influence. Black tea, clove and forest floor provide savory contrast and complexity that lasts through a lengthy, energetic finish.”

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MacRostie in The Tasting Panel Magazine
November 2025

The 2023 vintage of MacRostie Chardonnay is already making waves. In the November 2025 issue of The Tasting Panel, critic Michael Franz recommended four standout bottlings, each earning high scores and thoughtful praise. From the vibrant Stubbs Vineyard to the richly styled Mirabelle, these wines shine a spotlight on the depth and versatility of MacRostie’s Chardonnay craft.

 

The Tasting Panel Magazine
November 2025
Michael Franz

2023 MacRostie Stubbs Vineyard Chardonnay Petaluma Gap – 97 Points
“The cool, extended 2023 growing season was very effectively utilized in the growing and vinifying of this wine, which offers expressive and fully satisfying aromas and flavors but is most remarkable for its bright clarity and linear energy. In its way, it brings Puligny-Montrachet to mind and is terrific now but destined for a decade of positive development.”

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2023 MacRostie Mirabelle Vineyard Chardonnay Russian River Valley – 95 Points
“This producer’s mastery with Chardonnay is proved by the roaring success of this wine, which is utterly different from the Stubbs Vineyard 2023. Entirely seductive with its tropical fruit and mandarin orange aromas and flavors braced by more assertive, spicy and toasty oak than in the Stubbs, both have remarkably long, pure, symmetrical finishes.”

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2023 MacRostie Russian River Valley Chardonnay – 93 Points
“By comparison to this producer’s excellent Sonoma Coast Chardonnay, this shows a bit more weight and a bit more wood influence to match. Light floral aromas lead to a medium-bodied profile with classic orchard fruit notes at its core, edged with citrus-like acidity.”

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2023 MacRostie Sonoma Coast Chardonnay – 92 Points
“A Chardonnay that stand out on ground of impeccably pure fruit, this shows just enough spice and a faint hint of barrel toast to keep it on the right side of the line separating ‘pure’ from ‘simple’. With fruit notes recalling ripe peaches with a touch of tropical fruit akin to pineapple, this is delicious in a straightforward style.”

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MacRostie in The Tasting Panel Magazine
July/August 2025

Meridith May recommended three MacRostie wines for The Tasting Panel.

The Tasting Panel Magazine
 July/August 2025
 Meridith May

2022 MacRostie Olivet Lane Pinot Noir Russian River Valley – 95 Points
“Sweet tobacco and soil meld with a perfume of dried roses and basil. The palate is opulent – with a dash of salinity marking pomegranate and candied applies – and the mouthfeel is sleek, revealing a dollop of raspberry jelly on the finish.”

 

2022 MacRostie Gap’s Crown Pinot Noir Petaluma Gap – 94 Points
“Spiced mulberry goes juicy on entry with dried rose petals and red tea leaves. Black raspberry is accompanied by dusky notes of bramble and sweet earth.”

 

2024 MacRostie Rosé of Pinot Noir – 92 Points
“Delicate, bracing notes of Rainer cherry, watermelon, and lanolin add texture to slate and dried rose petal. A juicy wake-up call at mid-point reflects tension and verve.”