2021 Petaluma Gap

90 Points: James Molesworth Wine Spectator - September 2023

“A fresh, sleek style, with damson plum and bitter cherry notes lined with dried rose petal and iris hints. Features a flash of sous-bois on the finish. Drink now through 2026.”

The 2021 vintage delivered a moderate and consistent growing season for most of Sonoma County, leading to a smooth, easily manageable harvest. While the continuation of drought conditions led to slightly reduced yields, the overall quality and concentration of the grapes was exceptional. Fruit for our Petaluma Gap Pinot Noir was sourced from Rodgers Creek and our own Nightwing Estate Vineyard. Harvest occurred between September 10 and 15, 2021.

Though we have made vineyard-designate wines from different sites in the Petaluma Gap AVA since its establishment in 2018, the 2021 vintage marks MacRostie’s debut Petaluma Gap AVA wine. The Petaluma Gap is located about 30 miles inland from the Pacific Ocean and is defined by the wind that funnels cooling breezes and fog into the region. Thick skins and low yields result in dark color, exotic spice notes, and a rich, but lifted, palate presence.

• composition:

  100% Pinot Noir

• alcohol: 14.2%
• cases made:

  724 Cases

• bottling date: 07/27/2022
• aging:

  Aged 10 months in French oak, 29% new and 7% one-year-old

• fermentation:

  Gently desteemed into open-top fermenters; three day cold soak; cap management included pump-overs & punch-downs