Arista - Chardonnay Ritchie Vineyard 2020 (Pre-arrival) (750ml)

 Pre-arrival 
WS
94
WA
97

Price: $120.00

Sale Price: $97.00

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Producer Arista
Country United States
Region California
Subregion Russian River Valley
Varietal Chardonnay
Vintage 2020
Sku 1753467
Size 750ml

Arista Winery was founded in 2002 by Al and Jancis McWilliams with the intent of producing small quantities of quality Chardonnay and Pinot Noir from The Russian River Valley District . The day to day operations are now run by their sons Mark and Ben. Matt Courtney, formerly at Marcassin from 2005 to 2012 and now also with his own wines at Ferren, is the winemaker here.

 

The estate’s vineyards comprise 36 acres of land just outside Healdsburg in the heart of the Russian River Valley known as the Middle Reach.  Of this, nine acres are planted to Pinot Noir and one to Chardonnay, the vines having been selected form some of the best vines in the region to give diversity and quality.

 

In addition, Arista sources fruit from a number of growers – including Steve Alden’s Perli Vineyard on the Mendocino Coast , Chardonnay from Kent Ritchie’s Ritchie Vineyard, the Kanzler family’s 15 acre vineyard on the western edge of the Russian River Valley, Pinot Noir from Paul and Amy Mononi’s  vineyard near Olivet Road on the region’s eastern edge and from the Toboni family’s site in the heart of the Valley. In addition there are old vines planted Chardonnay and Pinot Noir from the Mark and Kim Demptster’s cool Banfield Vineyard and two vineyards owned by the Valdez family – Chardonnay from El Diablo and Pinot Noir from Lucky Well.

 

From these sources Arista produces what they call ‘Appellation” Wines – a Russian River Chardonnay and a Pinot Noir, plus single vineyard wines , of which the best known is the Ritchie Vineyard Chardonnay, plus two Pinots wines from their own vineyards, bottled as “Two Birds” and Harper’s Rest.

Wine Advocate: 97 Points

The 2020 Chardonnay Ritchie Vineyard comes from vines planted in the 1970s. It was matured for 12 months in 35% new French oak and finished with six months in stainless steel. This shows the impressive concentration and generosity that could have defined the style of the 2020 vintage before the wildfires hit. Youthful tones of crème brûlée and toast give way to citrus blossoms lemongrass and apricot on the nose. The medium-bodied palate pairs generous honeyed fruit and a luxurious mouth-coating texture with laser-like acidity that compels you to take another sip and although the Arista wines generally age well there's no reason to wait for this?drink it over the next 3-5+ years. 650 cases produced.

Wine Spectator: 94 Points

Leans into tropical notes of pineapple and mango with fresh citrus accents an elegant soft body and fresh acidity that gains momentum on the long expressive finish where a touch of toasted green tea and honeyed toasted sesame lingers. Drink now. 650 cases made.