Winemaker Notes
The 2021 Arista Russian River Valley Chardonnay boasts brilliant clarity and a gorgeous greenish hue that catches the eye. On the nose, it offers aromas of lemon-lime soda, wet stones, lemon drop, and white flowers that give it a vibrant and refreshing character. The palate shows a firm and zippy texture that is beautifully balanced by a subtle mineral tone, adding a degree of complexity to the wine. The finish is crisp and clean, leaving a mouthwatering sensation that lingers pleasantly. This Chardonnay is a testament to the exceptional quality of the Russian River Valley.
Professional Ratings
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James Suckling
Very clean and precise with sliced apples, light lemon curd and blossom honey. Medium-bodied with a crunchy palate of stone and apple flavors and a chalk-like texture. Lovely consistency and length, Crystalline at the end. A blend of all the vineyards used in Arista’s single bottlings.
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Jeb Dunnuck
In the glass, it pours a bright straw/green hue and shows off a bit riper profile than those of the Ferren wines, taking on ripe aromas of wet stones, delicate baking spices, fresh peach, and lemon candies. Medium to full-bodied and approachable, with a wide drinking window, it has a lovely, rounded texture and a weightless feel. It’s long on the palate and an outstanding entry to the range.
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
The 2021 Chardonnay Russian River Valley is deeply fruited yet = fantastically energetic! It has layered aromas of flint, baked apples, chamomile, honey, almonds and top notes of lemon peel. The medium bodied palate balances rich fruit and a luxuriously satiny texture with linear, shimmery acidity, and it has a long, flinty finish.
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Wine Spectator
Elegant and supple, showing salted, buttery shortbread notes, with hints of lemon blossoms, pear pastry and fresh Honeycrisp apple on a light and fresh frame.
Arista Winery was founded by Al and Janis McWilliams in 2002 with a mission to craft artisanal, site-driven Pinot Noir and Chardonnay from the Russian River Valley. From the beginning, the McWilliams have firmly believed that the finest examples of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay are produced in small lots. This belief has led to an emphasis on quality over quantity and a determination to discover and develop unique vineyard sites that reflect the distinct characteristics of the Russian River Valley. Arista is committed to sustainable farming practices. They work closely with local growers who share the dedication to sustainability in Arista carries out in their vineyards. Very little is done to manipulate the vineyard sites but instead strive to preserve each vineyard's natural qualities.
One of the most popular and versatile white wine grapes, Chardonnay offers a wide range of flavors and styles depending on where it is grown and how it is made. While it tends to flourish in most environments, Chardonnay from its Burgundian homeland produces some of the most remarkable and longest lived examples. California produces both oaky, buttery styles and leaner, European-inspired wines. Somm Secret—The Burgundian subregion of Chablis, while typically using older oak barrels, produces a bright style similar to the unoaked style. Anyone who doesn't like oaky Chardonnay would likely enjoy Chablis.
A standout region for its decidedly Californian take on Burgundian varieties, the Russian River Valley is named for the eponymous river that flows through it. While there are warm pockets of the AVA, it is mostly a cool-climate growing region thanks to breezes and fog from the nearby Pacific Ocean.
Chardonnay and Pinot Noir reign supreme in Russian River, with the best examples demonstrating a unique combination of richness and restraint. The cool weather makes Russian River an ideal AVA for sparkling wine production, utilizing the aforementioned varieties. Zinfandel also performs exceptionally well here. Within the Russian River Valley lie the smaller appellations of Chalk Hill and Green Valley. The former, farther from the ocean, is relatively warm, with a focus on red and white Bordeaux varieties. The latter is the coolest, foggiest parcel of the Russian River Valley and is responsible for outstanding Pinot Noir and Chardonnay.