Winemaker Notes
Crisp red fruit, high-toned botanicals, and a glowing ruby red appearance drive our 2022 Russian River Valley Pinot Noir, which beautifully balances floral aromatics with a bright, fresh, tangy mouthfeel. The warm, dry growing season in 2022 allowed our grapes to reach full maturity before harvest, allowing us to use nearly 25% whole clusters during fermentation – a practice that adds depth and brightness to finished wines. After aging in a modest 20% new French Oak, this wine strikes a perfect balance between complexity and drinkability, with spicy oak nuances subtly framing - but never overwhelming - the wine.
Professional Ratings
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James Suckling
This complete and pleasurable wine is a barrel selection from Arista's vineyard designates. On the nose, mushrooms and savory, resinous herbs, bright red Bing cherries and pine forest. Super fresh on the palate with notes of cola, raspberries and crunchy red fruits framed with wood tannin. A lot of energy and vibrancy, plus a little herbaceousness in the finish. Medium- to full-bodied.
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Jeb Dunnuck
A hazy youthful ruby color, the 2022 Pinot Noir Russian River Valley is fresh with aromas of red cherries, roses, and dark spices. Medium-bodied, the palate is bright with crunchy freshness and a snappy feel. It’s a total charmer now and should drink well over the coming 7-8 years.
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
The 2022 Pinot Noir Russian River Valley opens with flinty tones that give way to scents of red berry, damp earth and mushroom. The medium-bodied palate is more open at this stage, offering expansive, layered flavors and compelling earthy accents. It’s framed by grainy tannins and bright, mouthwatering acidity, and it has a long, latent finish. It will benefit from some time in a decanter.
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Wine Spectator
A high-pitched red, offering raspberry and damson plum coulis notes that zip along, with a blood orange zest accent. Shows a rose hip detail on the energetic finish. Briefly cellar to let this settle in. Best from 2026 through 2030.
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.