Arista El Diablo Vineyard Chardonnay 2022 750ml

Product Info

Terroir
El Diablo Vineyard sits on the north side of the Russian River Valley’s fabled Eastside Road corridor, an area known for its intricate mosaic of volcanic ash, fractured sandstone, and well-draining Goldridge soils. These soils restrict vigor and naturally concentrate the fruit, giving the wine its hallmark combination of tension and power. Perched on a ridgeline with consistent afternoon breezes, the vineyard receives long, even sunlight exposure that slowly ripens the Chardonnay while preserving remarkable acidity. The diurnal swing—warm days and cool nights—helps drive both aromatic lift and mineral precision. This site has proven especially adept at expressing a crystalline purity of fruit wrapped around a core of stony intensity, one of the signatures of Arista’s most sought-after vineyard bottlings.

Winemaking & Technical Notes
Arista handles El Diablo fruit with a philosophy that emphasizes texture, nuance, and transparency of place. The 2022 fruit was harvested in the cool, early-morning hours, hand-sorted in the vineyard and again at the winery, then gently pressed to avoid phenolic harshness. The juice was fermented with native yeasts in a selection of French oak barrels, typically 30–35% new, striking a balance between structure and restraint. Partial malolactic fermentation was allowed to develop naturally, contributing subtle creaminess without muting acidity. The wine spent roughly 11 months on fine lees with periodic bâtonnage, gaining depth and dimension while maintaining freshness. Bottled unfiltered, it retains a tactile weight and a vivid sense of site expression.

Tasting Notes
The 2022 El Diablo Chardonnay opens with an exquisite aromatic profile—ripe Meyer lemon, Comice pear, white nectarine, and crushed white flowers all emerging with laser-focused clarity. Beneath the fruit lies a mineral undertow: wet stone, oyster shell, and a delicate smoky flint edge that grows with air. On the palate, the wine is simultaneously powerful and poised. Layered flavors of lemon curd, golden apple, and kumquat interplay with toasted hazelnut, crème fraîche, and subtle vanilla bean from the judicious oak integration. The texture has an almost silken density, carried by an electric spine of acidity that tightens the wine’s broad mid-palate and stretches the finish to impressive length. The closing notes—saline, citrus-etched, and faintly spicy—signal a wine that will evolve beautifully over the next decade.

Food Pairing & Service
This Chardonnay’s balance of richness and mineral tension makes it a remarkably versatile food partner. Ideal pairings include dishes that echo its textural depth—such as seared scallops with brown butter, roasted halibut with lemon-herb crust, Dungeness crab, or a creamy chicken fricassée. For something more classic, pair it with a truffled roast chicken or a wild mushroom risotto, both of which complement the wine’s savory, lees-derived complexity. Serve between 52–55°F in a Burgundy-shaped glass to highlight its aromatic layers. A brief 20–30 minutes in a decanter can help bring out its full aromatic intensity in its youth.