MacRostie Chardonnay Wildcat Mountain Vineyard 2021
(Sonoma, California) - [JS 92] [WE 92] [JD 90]

About the Winery:
Rather than beginning with an end state in mind, Head Winemaker Heidi Bridenhagen and Steve MacRostie let each vineyard’s grapes dictate what they want to become. With deep Sonoma roots stretching back three decades, MacRostie has trusted partnerships with the region’s finest growers, including more than 30 Chardonnay vineyards and over 15 Pinot Noir sites. Combined with MacRostie’s own vineyards, this provides unique access to a remarkable level of diversity, and allows them to explore the entirety of the Sonoma Coast in the winemaking process. Heidi and Steve do 130+ small fermentations each vintage, yielding a broad palette of flavors to work with when it comes time for blending. This produces wines of uncommon character and complexity, representative of the best of the Sonoma Coast.

About the Wine:
The grapes for this Chardonnay came exclusively from Wildcat Mountain Vineyard, owned by Steve MacRostie and his partners, Nancy and Tony Lilly. At Wildcat, the vines dig into the sparse volcanic soil and stand firm against the strong winds that race in off of the Pacific Ocean most afternoons. This fog-shrouded mountaintop vineyard is a classic Sonoma Coast site. Cool and challenging, it yields wines of great distinction.

Ratings and Reviews:

92 Points - James Suckling:
"Plenty of lush citrus aromas followed by golden apples, bitter nuts, and beeswax with saffron and saline undertones. Medium body with bright acidity. Zesty wine layered with savory spices and minerality. Drink or hold." (December 2023)

92 Points - Wine Enthusiast:
"As inviting and buttery as a croissant, this soft and creamy wine is loaded with vanilla, fresh butter and baked apple flavors on a broad, melted texture, with just a hint of acidity for balance. Pour during cocktail hour for your Chardonnay-loving friends." - Jim Gordon (December 2023)

90 Points - Jeb Dunnuck:
"A savory profile emerges in the 2021 Chardonnay Wildcat Mountain, revealing fresh aromas of sea spray, yellow flowers, and golden apple. This medium to full-bodied white offers a silky mouthfeel, with good freshness of acidity and notes of fresh pear, honeyed lemon, and almond. It’s a very attractive wine to drink over the next several years. Though The Key may be the most complete wine in the lineup, I prefer this style for more regular drinking." - Audrey Frick (July 2023)