2021 Arista Russian River Valley Pinot Noir

Aromas of dark cherry, fresh violets, blood orange peel, and dried hibiscus lead into a bright, medium-bodied palate. Flavors of pomegranate, wild raspberry, and blueberry mesh with subtle notes of cola spice, sassafras, and wet stone. The texture is supple and silky, anchored by fine-grained tannins and a vibrant, mouthwatering acidity that drives a long, clean finish.

Hand-harvested Pinot Noir undergoes fermentation with roughly 10% whole clusters included in the vats. Guided by winemaker Matt Courtney, the lots are fermented separately before undergoing barrel selection. The wine rests for 11 months in French oak barrels (25% new) to integrate structure without masking the fruit. It is bottled without heavy manipulation.

Grapes are sourced from top-tier sites across the Russian River Valley, combining fruit from Arista's Westside Road Estate Vineyard with select blocks from the Toboni, Lucky Well, and Mononi vineyards. The vines grow in a complex mix of gravelly loam, sandstone, and clay soils. Dense morning fogs off the Pacific Ocean followed by warm afternoon sun allow the fruit to achieve full phenolic maturity while preserving crisp natural acidity.