Chardonnay Russian River Valley 2021 Arista Winery

Professional reviews

James Suckling (95)

Very clean and precise with sliced apples, light lemon curd and blossom honey. Medium-bodied with a crunchy palate of stone and apple flavors and a chalk-like texture. Lovely consistency and length, Crystalline at the end. A blend of all the vineyards used in Arista’s single bottlings. Drink or hold.

Jeb Dunnuck (94)

The 2021 Chardonnay Russian River Valley is an appellation wine that’s intended to over-deliver. It has every vineyard represented in the blend, which includes declassified barrels from each of the vineyard-designated wines. In the glass, it pours a bright straw/green hue and shows off a bit riper profile than those of the Ferren wines, taking on ripe aromas of wet stones, delicate baking spices, fresh peach, and lemon candies. Medium to full-bodied and approachable, with a wide drinking window, it has a lovely, rounded texture and a weightless feel. It’s long on the palate and an outstanding entry to the range. Drink 2024-2032.