Arista 2022 Pinot Noir, Russian River Valley

93 points                                                               
Arista is one of California's leading Pinot Noir producers under the helm of winemaker Matt Courtney (Ferren), Limited.

93 Points Jeb Dunnuck: "A hazy youthful ruby color, the 2022 Pinot Noir Russian River Valley is fresh with aromas of red cherries, roses, and dark spices. Medium-bodied, the palate is bright with crunchy freshness and a snappy feel. It’s a total charmer now and should drink well over the coming 7-8 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. 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."

Arista Winery was founded by the McWilliams family in 2002 with a mission to create the most elegant expression of Russian River Valley Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. We are committed to sustainable farming practices and sustainable business practices. We work closely with local growers who share our dedication to sustainability in their vineyards. We do not attempt to manipulate our vineyard sites but instead strive to preserve each vineyard’s natural qualities.