Pinot Noir, Russian River Valley – 2015
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Introduction
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Vintage Notes
The Russian River Valley blend represents the unique characteristics of the appellation that set it apart from other growing regions. This wine is defined by its rich weight and texture and by the dark fruit profile commonly associated with the Russian River Valley. The wine is assembled using select lots from our Westside Road Estate Vineyard as well as selections from the Toboni, Lucky Well, and Mononi Vineyards We use no de-classified wine or “filler” vineyards for this appellation blend. Instead, this wine is viewed as a blend of our single vineyard and estate wines and is an excellent survey of the vintage and appellation each year.
Winemaking
Cold grapes arrive at the winery early in the morning after having been picked at night. The clusters are sorted by hand and then destemmed into small, open-top fermenters. The juice is allowed to warm gradually and naturally in the fermenter. Given that all of the wines are made with native yeasts and are not inoculated, this cold-soak period can vary between 5-8 days depending on how long it takes these native populations to build up and begin fermentation. Pinot Noir fermentations are kept below 85 degrees. The wines always go through malolactic fermentation. The wines then spend the next 11 months in barrel, and the wine is racked clean just prior to bottling.
Technical Information
Vineyard Sources: Toboni, Lucky Well, Mononi, Arista Estate Vineyard
Clonal Composition: Heritage Selections of Swan, Calera, and various
Dijon Clones
Aging: 11 months in barrel (70% Francois Frères, 15% Sirugue, 15% Chassin —
30% new oak)
Alcohol: 14.5
Unfined, unfiltered
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Tasting Notes
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A beautiful garnet color is accompanied by notes of lavender, raspberry reduction, pencil lead and damp earth on the nose. The wine has a pleasant tannic grip providing structure for flavors of blackberry, plum, wild cherry and Asian spice.
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Images
Reviews
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Arista Winery Pinot Noir, Russian River Valley – 2015 – Wine Spectator – 90 Points
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. 1,472 cases made.
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Arista Winery Pinot Noir, Russian River Valley – 2015 – Wine Enthusiast – 94 Points
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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Pinot Noir, Russian River Valley – 2015 – 90 points – 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."