Steve MacRostie is a California native who served in the US Army as a cryptographer in Italy. His travels carried him through Western Europe where he developed a passion and fascination of European wines. Upon his return to the states, he enrolled in the enology program at the University of California Davis. He served as winemaker for Hacienda Wine Cellars in Sonoma for 12 years before founding MacRostie Winery in 1987.

The Loch Pinot Noir is a composition of the best vineyard blocks and barrels from Sonoma Coast Vineyards. It is aged in new and 1–2-year old French Oak barrels for 10 months with an additional six months in barrel after being blended together. The Loch has a brilliant red color with a floral high-toned aromas and a potpourri of delicate spices. Within are concentrated red plums, macerated currants and a sweet cherry puree. It is all framed with a subtle creaminess and enough energy to carry it through the finish. Give this bottling a few years of aging in order to reach its true potential.

By W Peter Hoyne