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Varietal
Chardonnay
Vintage
2017
The Key
Vintage
2017
Appellation
Sonoma Coast
Appellation
Sonoma Coast
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Tasting NotesFrom the far Sonoma Coast to the Russian River Valley to Carneros, this complex, layered wine spotlights the history and breadth of the MacRostie vineyard program. Fragrant aromas of honeysuckle and white peach leap from the glass inviting a first sip, with notes of lemon and lime-oil adding complexity and intrigue. On the palate, this magnificent Chardonnay is a study in cool-climate purity and grace. Not only has extended aging in the finest French oak given this wine an appealing golden color, it has imparted a lovely hint of perfumed oak that adds nuance and depth to the bright citrus flavors, which carry through to a long, sophisticated finish.
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Accolades91 points from Wine Enthusiast | “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.”
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Wine OriginHere at MacRostie, we pride ourselves on working with growers who know the land intimately. Vintage after vintage, the partnerships we have with our growers provide us with beautiful fruit. Among its key vineyards, this blend combines the beautiful lush, fruit-forward character of Wohler Vineyard in the Russian River Valley, the orange blossom and white peach notes from the acclaimed Olivet Lane Vineyard, the minerality of Dutton Shop, and the honey notes from Heintz Vineyard. The famed Martinelli Vineyard also marries harmoniously into The Key.
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Production NotesThe grapes went directly to press as whole clusters where they were gently pressed in order to maximize quality. This provides a distinct mouthfeel and texture. After settling, the juice was racked into French oak barrels for fermentation. This wine spent its entire life in barrel where it only partially completed secondary malo-lactic fermentation. After 10 months of aging in 20% new French oak, the wine was blended and put into 23% new and 31% once-filled oak. Thus, the final blend has seen over 30% new French oak. To further increase richness and body, it was occasionally stirred. Deemed aged to perfection, it was bottled, on February 11th, 2019.
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Winemaker NotesWe are now in our fourth year of crafting master blends of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. We named these wines The Loch and The Key, both as a nod to our founder Steve MacRostie’sScottish heritage and to his early experiences as a cryptographer deciphering codes in Europe for the U.S. Army. Combining decades of winemaking mastery with our rich history on the Sonoma Coast, The Loch and The Key are consummate blends, artfully crafted from our best blocks and barrels of wine. “Our goal is simple, but not easy,” says Winemaker Heidi Bridenhagen. “We search our cellar for our most beautiful wines of the vintage—stirring wines that sing on the palate. Then we begin blending.” Like a secret code unlocked by our winemakers, The Key embodies everything that we know about making great Chardonnay.