The 2019 Sangiacomo Vineyard Chardonnay recently received a 92-point rating on the “8 Outstanding Napa and Sonoma Chardonnays” list in the March 21st article on WineSpectator.com. Reviewer MaryAnn Worobiec calls it “Outstanding; a wine of superior character and style.”

“8 Outstanding Napa and Sonoma Chardonnays”
Chardonnay
2019 MacRostie Sangiacomo Vineyard Chardonnay

There are plenty of terrific Chardonnays from Napa and Sonoma to celebrate this week. This selection shows off lots of winemaking talent, as well as the skill for vineyard selection and blending that has made Golden State vintners so successful with Chardonnay. Even better, each of the wines below notched 90 points or more on Wine Spectator’s 100-point scale.

Steve and Thale MacRostie founded their namesake Sonoma winery in 1987, working with local growers to purchase the area’s best grapes for both single-vineyard expressions and regional blends. These days, winemaker Heidi Bridenhagen is at the helm, creating this beautiful Chardonnay from the well-known Sangiacomo vineyard. She uses grapes from two specific blocks of Sangiacomo, Catarina and Kiser B Block, and the wine was racked into a mixture of new, one-year-old and neutral French oak barrels for fermentation and aging. The result is a Chardonnay with terrific purity and flavors of green apple, pineapple and lemon curd with spice, brioche, ginger and lemon blossom details.

Meanwhile, Eric Kent’s expression of Sonoma Coast Chardonnay is a barrel selection of wines from four vineyards, aged in older puncheon barrels. The result is a fresh, vibrant Chardonnay with mouthwatering acidity and tangy citrus and apples flavors. Finally, Ferrari-Carano‘s Sonoma County bottling uses grapes from 60 vineyard lots throughout the region. Winemaker Sarah Quider ushers the grapes through the winery as they are destemmed, pressed and cold-settled into stainless steel tanks. After fermenting in barrels, the wine is aged sur lie in French oak, and stirred twice a month to encourage rich texture. The 2020 vintage displays rich toffee, lemon drop and apricot flavors with nutty notes on the finish.

“Starts off with terrific purity to the core of juicy green apple, pineapple and lemon curd flavors, expanding into details of spice, toasted brioche, candied ginger and lemon blossom on the long finish. Drink now through 2034.”

March 21, 2022
MaryAnn Worobiec, WineSpectator.com

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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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.”