Purchase

Perched on the same ridgeline as El Diablo and Ritchie Vineyards, Flora Marie sits in what we consider the heartland of great Chardonnay in Sonoma County. This corridor of east-facing slopes is bathed in gentle morning sun, with cooler afternoons that preserve vibrant acidity. But it’s the soils—pure, sandy Goldridge—that lend this wine its signature precision and mineral edge. The 2023 vintage is both tightly coiled and expressive, offering aromas of citrus blossom, crushed oyster shell, and candied lime. On the palate, a core of zesty acidity carries flavors of lemon oil, chalk, and roasted hazelnut, finishing long and lifted with a stony, mouthwatering cut.  Peak drinking window: 2026 through 2034

Tucked into the fog-shrouded ridgelines of the Mendocino Coast at 1800 feet elevation, Perli Vineyard is dramatic in every sense — steep, remote, and sculpted by ocean winds. Though it sits just north of the Sonoma Coast boundary, the vineyard’s soils, elevation, and exposure place it squarely among the most distinctive coastal Chardonnay sites in California.

The 2023 vintage channels all of that rugged character into a wine of laser-like precision and coastal energy. Aromatics lean into savory territory at first — a wisp of struck match, sea spray, and grilled citrus peel — before revealing notes of white peach, lemon balm, and crème fraîche. The palate is chiseled and mineral, carried by taut acidity and a cool-toned citrus profile. A touch of texture from lees aging gives the wine just enough roundness to balance its linear core.

Bright, structured, and full of tension, the 2023 Perli Chardonnay is a high-wire act of intensity and restraint, with years of evolution ahead. Peak drinking window: 2026 through 2032

Perched high above the Pacific Ocean on the Mendocino Coast at 1,800 feet above sea level, Perli Vineyard is the most visually spectacular site in Arista’s portfolio. The steep, 60% slopes face south and provide expansive views of the nearby Sonoma Coast.

Perli’s proximity to the famous vineyards that dot the ridgetops of the Sonoma Coast is immediately evident on the glass: Exotic notes of forest floor, tart cherry, rhubarb, and wild berry come alive in the 2023—all hallmarks of Sonoma’s rugged coastal vineyards. Yet the wine’s grippy tannins and firm acidity speak to the slightly cooler climate of this more northerly, high-elevation site. The 2023 edition of this wine is exceptionally elegant and ethereal, with delicate floral and botanical details and a brilliant translucent ruby color.

Peak drinking window: 2026 - 2034

The UV Vineyard sits atop a low lying ridge Goldilocks zone of the Russian River Valley. This is truly the tenderloin of the appellation—to the east lie the warmer lowlands of the Laguna de Santa Rosa, and to the west lie the exposed ridge tops of the Sonoma coast. There are many famous Russian River Valley vineyards in this narrow corridor, but maybe none with such a pure example of Goldridge soil—the powdery, nearly white soil that gives Russian River Valley wines their renowned energy and elegance.

Dark garnet in color, the 2023 UV Vineyard Pinot Noir is a perfect example of this balance: A classic Russian River Valley perfume of roses, crushed bramble, candied strawberries, pine forest, and wet stones is accented by a subtle toasty barrel note. On the palate, the wine has a lively, mouth-watering, energetic feel powered by bright but well-integrated natural acidity and fine, powdery tannins. The UV Vineyard Pinot Noir is delicious now, but its firm structure bodes well for aging so be sure to stash a bottle or two in the back of your cellar. Peak drinking window: 2027 - 2040

Received 94 Points by each critic who reviewed the wine: Jeb Dunnuck, Antonio Galloni, Robert Parker, Wine Spectator