Winemaker Notes
Arista Russian River Valley Pinot Noir is a fresh, vibrant example of wines from the appellation in a great vintage. With a beautiful dark, translucent, garnet color, the wine invites the taster in. One is greeted by a nose of cool blue fruits, Herbes de Provence, black olive, spiced candy, and damp forest floor. A modest 20% new French oak frames a core of crunchy red fruit on the palate. The wine possesses great length with tangy acidity, and finishes with an herbal note and grippy tannins that marry pleasantly with the fruit and help carry the long finish.
95 Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
Medium ruby, the 2018 Pinot Noir Russian River Valley bursts with pure cranberries, black cherries, charcuterie, loamy earth and blood orange aromas. Medium-bodied, it has pleasing graininess and bursts of freshness to support the full, ripe fruits and flavorful finish. This cuvée offers classic Russian River fruit in a very classy frame.
91 Jeb Dunnuck
The appellation 2018 Pinot Noir Russian River Valley showed well, with lots of spicy, meaty, underbrush, and foresty notes as well as medium-bodied richness, loads of darker cherry and redcurrant fruit, some smoky background oak, and a great finish. It will benefit from just a few years in the cellar and should see its tenth birthday in fine form. This is a classic Russian River Valley Pinot Noir that still holds plenty of freshness and structure.