2021 Banfield Vineyard Chardonnay

From Old Wente planted in 1980 on AXR rootstock, the 2021 Chardonnay Banfield Vineyard comes from one of the later sites picked by the estate. Bright straw-colored with a tinge of green, it boasts a rounded bouquet with aromas of fresh peach, melon rind, preserved citrus, and white flowers. Medium to full-bodied, it expands through the palate with lovely length and great intensity throughout, without being heavy in any way. It has real structure for aging, but in this vintage, it shows a good deal of freshness in its notes of lime on the palate. Drink 2025-2035. Located in the heart of the Russian River Valley, Arista Winery was founded in 2002 by Al and Janis McWilliams, who handed over day-to-day operations to their children, Mark and Ben, in 2012. Today, the winemaking is overseen by esteemed winemaker Matt Courtney, who spent eight years with Marcassin. Additionally, Matt makes wines under his own label, Ferren, and as of this year, Volterre, which readers will find in this report. He holds back an additional year in bottle for both wineries before release. This year, we see the return of the Pinot Noirs in the range, after the estate made the difficult decision not to produce any reds in 2020 due to the effects of the fires. In the cellar, all of the wines are barrel fermented, and fermentation is started with native yeast.

The brightness and fresh herbs, such as parsley and lemongrass, come out nicely. Some flint. It’s full-bodied with a lovely density. It has plenty of ripe green apple, lemon-lime and brioche flavors. So pure and beautiful. From 50-year-old Wente clones. Very delicious now but will age beautifully. Drink now or hold.

The 2021 Chardonnay Banfield Vineyard is a classy, elegant wine. Floral aromatics meld into a core of silky fruit in a Chardonnay that is all finesse. Time in the glass brings out hints of lemon confit, white flowers, slate and white pepper, but it is the wine's sensual texture that is most alluring. This is a sublime Chardonnay from Arista.