Chardonnay, Russian River Valley — 2018
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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 2018 Russian River Valley Chardonnay 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 2018, notes of Asian pear, Meyer lemon, ginger, lemongrass, slate, dried white flowers and spun sugar are prominent on the nose. On the palate, the wine has a lemon inflected steeliness paired with mouth-watering acidity giving it exceptional liveliness and balance.
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Images
Reviews
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Arista Winery Chardonnay, Russian River Valley — 2018 – Jeb Dunnuck – 93 Points
Starting off with the appellation 2018 Chardonnay Russian River Valley from Arista, this smoking Chardonnay would be ideal for readers trying to understand the style of Arista as well as the overall quality of this estate. Offering up a light golden hue as well as a beautiful perfume of stone fruits, pear, honeyed minerality, and white flowers, it hits the palate with more medium-bodied richness, a round, supple, layered texture, beautifully integrated acidity, and one heck of a great finish. This is one incredible appellation Chardonnay that should be snatched up by readers.
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Arista Winery Chardonnay, Russian River Valley — 2018 – Wine Spectator – 92 Points
Baked apple, pear tart and dried apricot flavors glide across the palate, with lemon curd accents. Shows light buttery and spicy accents on the plush finish.
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Arista Winery Chardonnay, Russian River Valley — 2018 – Vinous – 91 Points
A very pretty, expressive wine. Airy and beautifully perfumed, the 2018 is all class. Dried pear, flowers, mint, chamomile and citrus are some of the notes that grace the 2018, a wine that shows the more restrained, elegant side of the Russian River.