2020 Arista Russian River Valley Chardonnay [WA95][WS93][JD92]

Producer: Arista  
Region: Russian River Valley, Sonoma County, California 
Varietal: Chardonnay  
Year: 2020 

Wine Advocate, 95 Points 

"The 2020 Chardonnay Russian River Valley was matured for 12 months in 20% new French oak barrels and finished with six months in stainless steel. Like many of the 2020s from Arista, it is inviting and ready to drink, with white peach and pepper aromas accented by touches of green herbs and beeswax on the nose. The full-bodied palate has a creamy texture and is loaded with peachy flavor, and it finishes with fresh acidity and nutty nuances." 

Wine Spectator, 93 Points 

"Offers lemon sherbet, salted butterscotch and lemon blossom notes that are fresh and aromatic, with a seamlessness to the supple texture and fresh acidity. Reveals a touch of vanilla crème anglaise and fresh, fleshy nectarine notes that linger on the long finish.” 

Jeb Dunnuck, 92 Points 

"All these white wines from Arista are a medium yellow with glints of green. The 2020 Chardonnay Russian River Valley is expressive with gorgeous minerals and a ripe profile of flinty wet stone, ripe pear, and delicate baking spices. Ripe and full-bodied, with clean lift on the finish without feeling heavy on the palate, it reveals notes of quince, pink grapefruit, and a hint of vanilla to round it out. I like where this is now, although it will be lovely drinking over the next few years." 

Winemaker Notes: 

"An exceptional snapshot of the 2020 vintage in the Russian River, this release is a blend of barrels from five Russian River Valley sites: Flora Marie, El Diablo, Ritchie, Banfield, and Arista’s Westside Road Estate. With contributions from some of the finest Chardonnay vineyards in the appellation and made with slightly less new oak than the vineyard designates, this cuvée offers the highest level of early drinkability in the Arista portfolio while maintaining an extraordinary degree of quality. Notes of lemon curd, candied oranges, and white flowers are joined by notes of baking spices and caramelized sugar. A touch of flinty reduction and a citrus inflected acid backbone keep the finish fresh and lively." 

Alcohol: 14.2% 

*Price and availability in store may vary. Vintage date may differ from pictured.