2021 Russian River Pinot Noir

The ripe ruby-colored 2021 Pinot Noir Russian River Valley saw the small addition of about 10% whole cluster. The nose opens to a just gorgeous perfume of red and blue fruit as well as fresh violets and cherry candies. Very tasty indeed, the palate is inviting and medium-bodied, and it has a supple, silky texture, with a long, fresh, pure finish. This inviting red is going to have a wide drinking window over the next 6-8 years. 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.

Black cherry, violet and orange peel aromas. Perfumed and mesmerizing. Medium-bodied with very firm, long, racy, focused tannins. Love the finish. A wine for the cellar. DRC, La Tache and Calera clones. Drink after 2027.

The 2021 Pinot Noir Estate Grown emerges from Arista's home vineyard just outside Healdsburg. A dark, potent wine, the 2021 offers up copious dark fruit, leather, spice and mocha. There's a bit more concentration here, as well as a stronger oak imprint than what is found in the other Pinots.