- Home/
Arista Winery Russian River Valley Chardonnay 2019
96 points Arista is one of California's leading Pinot Noir producers under the helm of winemaker Matt Courtney (Ferren), Limited. previous vintage 96 Points Jeb Dunnuck: "The appellation Arista 2017 Chardonnay Russian River Valley spent 12 months in just 20% new French oak. This medium gold-hued Chardonnay offers a beautiful nose of orchard fruits, honeyed citrus, green almonds, toasted bread, and flower oil. Rich, full-bodied, and opulent on the palate, it has subtle background oak, rocking levels of fruit and texture, good acidity, and a great finish...With the wines made by Matt Courtney, this Russian River estate continues to make some of the best wines in the vintage."
Ratings on Delectable
Somm David T 
Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator
First experience w/ this producer. From Coravin. Think better well chilled & decanted. If you read my posts, you know I am more of a white burgundy person. Only occasionally having Ca Chardonnay. I tried this one as it only sees 18-20% new oak. Lower than many Ca Chardonnay’s. So…I thought I’d check it out. Gotta keep your palate close to everything. This still shows more rigid backbone and wood than I prefer. The nose shows; less oak but oak, some buttered popcorn, green apple, lemon-lime citrus with zest, topical melons, pineapple, white stone fruits, understated caramel, vanilla, white spice, dry to moist herbs, chamomile, lanolin, some paraffin, yellow & white flowers set in greens. The body is a little viscous & waxy. Some buttered popcorn, green apple, lemon-lime citrus with zest, topical melons, pineapple, white stone fruits, apricots, caramel, vanilla, honeysuckle, butterscotch, white spices/ a touch of heat, dry to moist herbs, silvered almonds, shades of mint leaves, chamomile, lanolin, frothy cream, some paraffin, saline, a chalky presence, dry limestone, yellow & white flowers set in greens, very round acidity, good balance-length, more structure than I look for, elegant, rich, lush finish that lasts 90 seconds and lands on spice & volcanic minerals. 91-92. Paid just under $55.
First experience w/ this producer. From Coravin. Think better well chilled & decanted. If you read my posts, you know I am more of a white burgundy person. Only occasionally having Ca Chardonnay. I tried this one as it only sees 18-20% new oak. Lower than many Ca Chardonnay’s. So…I thought I’d check it out. Gotta keep your palate close to everything. This still shows more rigid backbone and wood than I prefer. The nose shows; less oak but oak, some buttered popcorn, green apple, lemon-lime citrus with zest, topical melons, pineapple, white stone fruits, understated caramel, vanilla, white spice, dry to moist herbs, chamomile, lanolin, some paraffin, yellow & white flowers set in greens. The body is a little viscous & waxy. Some buttered popcorn, green apple, lemon-lime citrus with zest, topical melons, pineapple, white stone fruits, apricots, caramel, vanilla, honeysuckle, butterscotch, white spices/ a touch of heat, dry to moist herbs, silvered almonds, shades of mint leaves, chamomile, lanolin, frothy cream, some paraffin, saline, a chalky presence, dry limestone, yellow & white flowers set in greens, very round acidity, good balance-length, more structure than I look for, elegant, rich, lush finish that lasts 90 seconds and lands on spice & volcanic minerals. 91-92. Paid just under $55.
9.1
Delectable Wine
Follow to learn about our favorite wines & people.
The 2019 Chardonnay (Russian River Valley) is a very pretty and complex appellation-level wine. Apricot, chamomile, dried flowers, mint, hazelnut and honey are nicely pushed forward. This deceptively mid-weight Chardonnay packs a pretty good punch. (Antonio Galloni, Vinous, June 2022)
The 2019 Chardonnay (Russian River Valley) is a very pretty and complex appellation-level wine. Apricot, chamomile, dried flowers, mint, hazelnut and honey are nicely pushed forward. This deceptively mid-weight Chardonnay packs a pretty good punch. (Antonio Galloni, Vinous, June 2022)
9.1Louis Martin
Bright, smooth, and nutty, not too oaky, sweetens when paired with slightly bitter food. Went wonderfully with a pesto-salmon meal.
Bright, smooth, and nutty, not too oaky, sweetens when paired with slightly bitter food. Went wonderfully with a pesto-salmon meal.
9.2
See all reviews and ratings on Delectable WARNING: DRINKING DISTILLED SPIRITS, BEER, COOLERS, WINE AND OTHER ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES MAY INCREASE CANCER RISK, AND, DURING PREGNANCY, CAN CAUSE BIRTH DEFECTS.