Winemaker Notes
Professional Ratings
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Wine Enthusiast
Soft, seductive and focused, this best of the best from the appellation is lengthy and complex, with tension on the palate. Dark cherry, wild cinnamon, crushed rock and black tea mingle effortlessly around a rich, dense roundness that never loses its balance or sense of delicious purpose.
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Jeb Dunnuck
Leading off the Pinot Noir releases, the 2015 Pinot Noir Russian River Valley is a class act. Spiced cherries, dried herbs, and earthy notes all give way to a medium-bodied, perfectly balanced effort with ripe, present tannin, and a great finish. I'd happily drink bottles over the coming 4-5 years and wouldn’t be surprised to see it keep longer.
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
Medium to deep ruby-purple colored, the 2015 Pinot Noir Russian River Valley springs from the glass with notes of Black Forest cake, warm black raspberries and red plums plus hints of lilacs, Sichuan pepper and aniseed. Medium to full-bodied, it gives tons of vivacious red and black fruit flavors with lovely spicy accents and a soft texture, finishing on a lingering peppery note.
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Wine Spectator
Light toasty oak casts a mix of caramel and cedar notes, joining a mix of elegant cherry, berry, graphite and spice flavors, ending with fine-grained tannins. Best from 2020 through 2027.
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.
While the Russian River Valley is a large appellation with multiple climate zones and soil types, it is best known for cool-climate varieties, with Pinot Noir as the most celebrated. The grapes benefit from a reliable late afternoon flow of Pacific Ocean fog through the Petaluma Gap and along the Russian River Valley that ensures slow and steady ripening and the preservation of grape acidity. Today many of California’s most highly regarded Pinot Noir vineyards are in the Russian River Valley, along with its sub-appellation, Green Valley.
Historically Russian River Valley Pinot Noirs had bright red fruit and delicate earthy, mineral notes. But changes in viticultural and winemaking practices have led to stylistic changes in some of the region’s wines. Adjustments to canopy management, among other techniques, have resulted in riper fruit and bolder wines as well. These show flavors of black cherry, blackberry, cola, spice and darker, loamy earth tones, accenting traditional Pinot Noir notes of strawberry, raspberry and light cherry.