Arista Pinot Noir UV Lucky Well Vineyard 2018

98 Points, Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate

Arista Winery has easily been one of the hottest American wineries in the last half decade and it’s no surprise why. With access to some of the state’s most elite vineyard sites up and down the coast, an estate right next to the legendary Sonoma winery, William Selyem and a scorching hot winemaker, Arista has established itself as a force to be reckoned with. 

Winemaker, Matt Courtney had the incredible fortune of being the apprentice under the super famous, Helen Turley for eight years on her cult project, Marcassin. It’s there he learned how to make Burgundian varietals from one of the best– helping serve their allocation list and their 5000+ person waitlist! 

Since Courtney joined Arista in 2013, the winery has seen 25 of their wines scored 93 points or higher by Wine Spectator.  Even more impressive, they have had 15 wines scored at 93+ points or higher by Wine Adovocate in the 2015 and 2016 vintages alone!!! 

But the 2018 vintage appears to be taking things somehow to even higher heights with their highest scoring Pinot Noir to date– and I’m lucky enough to bring it to you today. Snag a few bottles while they’re in. Here’s what Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate had to say:

“Ulysses Valdez planted the UV Lucky Well vineyard about 19 years ago, and it’s located at the far western edge of the Russian River Valley. This section of Calera and Swan clones produced a gorgeous result with the 2018 Pinot Noir UV Lucky Well Vineyard. Medium ruby, it offers alluring raspberries, pipe tobacco, violets and pencil shavings with wafts of bergamot and dusty earth. The palate is expressive and seamless—soft, juicy and fragrant—with lush but detailed fruit and lingering perfume. It’s a stunning wine that drinks beautifully straight from bottle but will have a long life in the cellar.”