by Virginie Boone
May 2020
2017 MacRostie Hellenthal Vineyard Pinot Noir – 94 Points: Superb; a great achievement
“From a high-elevation coastal site, this wine is dazzling in juicy red fruit, gentle spice and a great length and breadth of textured intensity. Toasted oak adds more spice and a note of dark chocolate, which combines well with the rich, rewarding core of berry.”
2017 MacRostie Klopp Ranch Pinot Noir – 94 Points: Superb; a great achievement
“This lovely, balanced wine from the great site is nuanced in rose, lavender and dark cherry-strawberry richness, the palate juicy and supple with generous tension and texture. Spicy forest and black tea mingle with ease amongst the core of fruit, the finish lengthy and graceful.”
2017 MacRostie Olivet Lane Pinot Noir – 94 Points: Superb; a great achievement
“This is a light, ethereal take on the variety, savory in forested earth, black tea and crispy red fruit. Made in a restrained, elegant style, it sings in acidity and energy, and has a subtle dusting of white pepper that is immensely complex.”
2017 MacRostie Terra de Promissio Pinot Noir – 94 Points: Superb; a great achievement
“From the famous Petaluma Gap site, this light-bodied, elegant wine is fresh and rich in baked strawberry, forest and dried herb. Lengthy in savory spice and black tea, it has structure to spare, with firm, supple tannin and integrated oak.”
2017 MacRostie Thale’s Vineyard Pinot Noir – 94 Points: Superb; a great achievement
“With a delicate floral nose met by cherry spice, this is a sumptuous and lovely red wine, fully lush in strawberry and black cherry. French oak wraps around the fruit effortlessly adding nuances of vanilla and baking spice.”
2017 MacRostie Cumming’s Vineyard Pinot Noir – 92 Points: Excellent; highly recommended
“Juicy strawberry, black tea and turned earth open into a midpalate of light, bright acidity, with a meaty underbelly of richness in this wine, sourced from a vineyard in the Santa Rosa Plains and farmed by Charlie Chenoweth. The finish hints of orange peel and cardamom.”
2017 MacRostie Rodgers Creek Pinot Noir – 92 Points: Excellent; highly recommended
“Tangy, edgy acidity underlies the buzzing core of this structured, high-toned wine from the new appellation. Stony mineral and crisp, crunchy red fruit defines its medium-bodied frame of complex tannin integration and graceful finish.”
2017 MacRostie The Key Chardonnay – 91 Points: Excellent; highly recommended
“This is a master blend from the best barrels of the vintage from many of the best single vineyards, which showcases exotic quince, Asian pear and fig. Bright, fresh notions of tangerine emphasize the inherent acidity, with a rich creamy midpalate along the way.”
2017 MacRostie Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir – 91 Points: Excellent; highly recommended
“Floral, silky and succulent, this is a robust, full-bodied wine, expressive in blueberries and red-berry fruit. Dry tannins wrap around ripe layers of richness and texture and are seasoned lightly in dried herb and baking spice.”
2017 MacRostie The Loch Pinot Noir – 90 Points: Excellent; highly recommended
“Tangy citrus is further boosted by tart, sharp acidity in this intensely full-bodied, ripe and boldly textured wine. The barrel imprint is strong, adding to the weight and breadth of the wine, which finishes in earth and black pepper.”
2017 MacRostie Russian River Valley Pinot Noir – 90 Points: Excellent; highly recommended
“Creamy red fruit is complemented in a light, buzzy earthiness of tree bark, dried herb and mineral in this textured midweight wine. The appellation is well represented, the wine quietly rich in dark cherry, pomegranate and cola.”
2016 Clockwise Napa Valley Red Wine – 88 Points: Very good; often good value; well recommended
“This blend of a majority Cabernet Sauvignon with sizable additions of Petit Verdot, Merlot and Malbec delivers simple fruitiness and dark layers of spice. Supple and approachable, it broods in blackberry, clove and earth.”
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