Wine Reviews

For years MacRostie has had much success with Chardonnay and this latest offering is no exception. Pulling fruit from three distinct vineyards – all of which produce exceptional fruit on their own - this offers a taut acidity with light notes of green melon, citrus, star fruit, honeysuckle, lemon meringue, resin, guava and floral wildflower notes – a palette of tropical fruits. The combination of these vineyard sources shows how a wine can be better than the sum of its parts, and The Key is a harmonious, lovely, enjoyable wine.

This is a blend of 60% Frappato and 40% Syrah from Sicily.  Violet in color, mostly clear and bright.  The nose has raspberries, black cherries and char.  Medium bodied.  Silky texture.  Medium tannins.  On the palate, this has big fruit; raspberries and black raspberries along with char and thyme.  There is some depth as well.  Long finish.  Like most Italian wines, this is better with food.  This would work well with plate of pasta with mushrooms.  Drink over the next five years.  

My first time trying this producer.  Very pale ruby in color, clear and bright.  An interesting nose of cranberries with Kirsch.  Viscous texture.  Light tannins.  On the palate, a bit more nutty than the nose.  Good acidity.  Sweet not cloying.  Flavors of craisins with slight Snickers Bar.  Nice finish.  A nice way to end a meal.  Perhaps serve with some nutty or chocolate pastry.

From a difficult vintage, this was outstanding.  Inky purple in color, opaque and bright.  The nose has cassis, black cherries, black olives, spice and slight graphite.  Medium to full bodied.  Firm tannins.  On the palate, cassis, black cherries with some underlying earthiness.  Great acidity.  Long finish.  This is complex but needs some air to unwind.  Drink over the next ten to fifteen years.  Great on its own, but this will be better with food (but let it breather for a while prior to serving).  This would be great with lamb, of course, but a smoky, black bean burger would be very nice