Chardonnay, Russian River Valley – 2017
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Vineyard Profile
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The Russian River Valley Chardonnay blend combines our old vine plantings, ideal growing conditions and unique terroir producing a wine that demonstrates the full potential of the Russian River Valley appellation. The combination of vine age, site and winemaking produce a profound wine that provides great insight into the vintage and appellation each year.
- Vineyards: Banfield, Ritchie, El Diablo, Arista Estate Vineyard
- Clones: Old Wente and Montrachet
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Vinification
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Cold grapes arrive at the winery early in the morning after having been picked at night. Grape clusters are sorted by hand and gently transferred as whole clusters directly into our press to undergo an extremely gentle press cycle lasting 3-4 hours. From the settling tank, the juice is moved to 60-gallon French oak barrels, where fermentation is allowed to occur naturally using only native yeast that come in from our vineyards. Limited battonage is used during the first 2-3 months of fermentation in order to encourage the development of a healthy yeast population. Once fermentation is safely underway the wine is not disturbed until the fermentation is complete, which typically takes about 10-11 months. Final blends are assembled and gently racked to stainless-steel tanks for about 4-6 months.
- Aging: 12 months fermentation and aging in barrel followed by 6 months in stainless steel
- Filtration: Unfiltered
- Fining: Unfined
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Technical Information
- Varietal Composition: 100% Chardonnay
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Tasting Notes
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The 2017 Russian River Valley Chardonnay is a blend of our four Russian River Valley Chardonnay vineyards: El Diablo Vineyard on Eastside Road, Banfield Vineyard on Martinelli Road, Ritchie Vineyard on Eastside Road, and the estate Chardonnay vineyard on our Westside Road property. The wine is made with a modest amount of new oak (~20%) to allow the terroir to take center stage. These appellation wines always offer great insight into the region as a whole for a given vintage. In 2017, notes of asian pear, tangerine zest, lemongrass, wet stones, yellow flowers, and burnt sugar are prominent on the nose. On the palate, the wine has a lemon inflected savoriness paired with mouth watering acidity giving it exceptional balance. Peak drinking window: 2020 though 2027.
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Images
Reviews
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Arista Winery Chardonnay, Russian River Valley – 2017 – The Wine Advocate – 91 Points
The 2017 Chardonnay Russian River Valley is scented of poached pears, lemon peel, baker's yeast and golden apples with touches of citrus blossom and hazelnut. The palate is light to medium-bodied, silky and fresh with pure fruits and a juicy finish.
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Arista Winery Chardonnay, Ritchie Vineyard, Russian River Valley — 2017 – Wine Spectator – 91 Points
Focused, rich and full of Gala apple and ripe pear flavors, featuring concentrated buttery and oak notes. The finish lingers, revealing hints of nutmeg and allspice. Drink now through 2024. 611 cases made.
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Arista Winery Chardonnay, Russian River Valley – 2017 – Jeb Dunnuck – 96 Points
The appellation 2017 Chardonnay Russian River Valley spent 12 months in just 20% new French oak. This medium gold-hued Chardonnay offers a beautiful nose of orchard fruits, honeyed citrus, green almonds, toasted bread, and flower oil. Rich, full-bodied, and opulent on the palate, it has subtle background oak, rocking levels of fruit and texture, good acidity, and a great finish.
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Arista Winery Chardonnay, Russian River Valley – 2017 – Vinous – 91 Points
The 2017 Chardonnay (Russian River Valley) is rich, bold and luscious - all qualities that make it an excellent choice for near- and medium-term drinking. Apricot, tropical fruit, lemon confit and white flowers give this bold, textured Chardonnay tons of personality. This is an especially flamboyant style.