Arista Chardonnay Ritchie Vineyard 2021 (750ML)

100 JD / 98 JS

Planted in the mid-1970s on all Goldridge soils, the 2021 Chardonnay Ritchie Vineyard comes from the highest blocks at the top of this esteemed vineyard and was aged in 40% new French oak barrels. It’s a stunner in the glass, with loads of layered depth and complexity. and it checks a ton of boxes. The nose opens to luxurious aromas of white peach, citrus blossoms, marzipan, wet stone minerality, and citrus oils. Full-bodied, the palate gains fantastic glycerol richness while staying light on its feet, with seamless acidity and a long finish. Its oak spice frames the wine with precision, giving it a refined, polished feel and offering a Grand Cru-esque sensibility. This is an outstanding wine to drink over the coming 10-15 years.—Jeb Dunnuck

Extremely focused and energetic nose of sliced limes and Meyer lemons with lemongrass. Some stone and hints of flint. Full-bodied with superb density and structure and phenolics that you can feel. It goes on for minutes. Slightly chewy at the end. From Wente clones planted in 1974. Better in three or four years.—James Suckling