2021 Arista Chardonnay Ritchie Vineyard

100pts 2021 Arista Chardonnay Ritchie Vineyard

2021 Arista Chardonnay Ritchie Vineyard The 2021 Chardonnay Ritchie Vineyard comes from vines planted in the 1970s. It was matured for 12 months in 35% new French oak and finished with six months in stainless steel. This shows the impressive concentration and generosity that could have defined the style of the 2020 vintage before the wildfires hit. Youthful tones of crème brûlée and toast give way to citrus blossoms, lemongrass and apricot on the nose. The medium-bodied palate pairs generous, honeyed fruit and a luxurious, mouth-coating texture with laser-like acidity that compels you to take another sip, and although the Arista wines generally age well, there’s no reason to wait for this—drink it over the next 3-5+ years.

The wine world was all buzzing about this wine. In 2012 Winemaker Matt Courtney jumped ship leaving Marcassin to become winemaker for Arista a Sonoma based, family owned Winery that specializes in Chardonnay and Pinot Noir and the hunt was on. Marcassin is the quintessential California Chardonnay. It is the benchmark for California and extremely expensive and impossible to get, maybe a bottle here and a bottle there. I have been trying to get my hands on the Arista Chardonnays ever since. Matt Courtney is a rock star winemaker also making wines at Martinelli with Helen Turley and Robert Biale in Napa. Just yesterday I Tasted Arista’s Chardonnays and they are too die for. They again have become impossible to get. These are some of the finest Chardonnay being made in California. The Wine Spectators comments that Arista’s wines should be at the top of your wine wish list. The wines are made using the same traditional Burgundian methods he learned at Marcassin, without fining or filtration. These wines have a depth and length like great Grand Cru Burgundy but are richer and rounder typical of California.

I have tasted all the great Cali Chardonnays and these wines are at the Pinnacle. The 2021 Arista Ritchie Chardonnay received 100pts by JD, 98pts by Suckling. Very hard to get and tiny amounts available.