Dec 30, 2022
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Navarro Vineyards
| Owner(s) | Ted Bennet, Deborah Cahn |
| Web site | www.navarrowine.com |
| Link to this site |
Ted Bennett and Deborah Cahn left the San Francisco Bay area and bought a 900-acre sheep ranch in Anderson Valley in 1973. The next year they began planting white varietals (they were Alsatian wine fanciers) and in 1975 planted their first 5 acres of Pinot Noir (UCD-4) on one rootstock on the valley floor in Philo. Additional acreage was planted on the hills of Philo. In 2009, they added 15 acres in Boonville. In 2012, they had 40 acres of estate Pinot Noir in production with 9 clones on 6 rootstocks divided into eight unique parcels ranging from 350 to 1500 feet in altitude. They source another 10 acres under contract with neighboring Valley Foothills Vineyard.
60% of what the winery crushes comes from estate vineyards. Varieties that do not do well in Anderson Valley, such as Zinfandel, Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah, are sourced from growers with whom there is a long-standing relationship.
The next generation, Aaron and Sarah Cahn Bennett, now are actively involved in the winery. Winemaker Jim Klein has been at Navarro since 1992. The vineyard manager has been at the winery for more than 25 years.
Three Pinot Noirs are produced: a Mendocino blend, a Méthode á l'Ancienne Anderson Valley Pinot Noir (from Navarro's estate fruit and a small percentage of grapes from other growers in the Anderson Valley), and a Deep End Blend Anderson Valley Pinot Noir (a reserve made exclusively from higher elevated sites and the most age worthy).
The tasting room in Philo on Highway 128 is open daily and is one of the busiest and most loved in Mendocino County. Winery facility is capable of a total production of 43,000 cases annually. A very informative newsletter is sent to mailing list customers. 85% of wines are sold direct to consumers which helps make the wines surprisingly affordable.
Navarro is also a leading producer of Alsatian style wines and all Navarro wines are of the highest quality, yet the prices continue to be very reasonable. The tasting room sells cheeses from Pennyroyal Farm down the road in Boonville which is run by Sarah.
Articles About Navarro Vineyards
2012 California Value Priced Pinot Noir First Team All-Americans (9.17 12/26/2012)
2014 California Value Priced Pinot Noir First Team All-Americans (10.2 12/22/2014)
Along the Pinot Trail in California: Part I - Central Coast (9.8 6/24/2012)
Anderson Noir Valley (9.3 2/22/2012)
Anderson Noir Valley Pinot (Pt II) (7.19 6/5/2009)
Anderson Noir Valley Pinot Festival: After the Smoke Clears (8.16 6/8/2010)
Anderson Noir Valley: The Festival (9.8 6/24/2012)
Anderson Valley Pinot Noir Festival Technical Conference (8.16 6/8/2010)
Andersonoir Valley Pinot Noir Festival (8.40 6/30/2011)
Final California Wine Reviews of 2016 (10.44 12/13/2016)
Highlights of the Anderson Valley Pinot Noir Festival Technical Conference (9.44 7/28/2014)
More Recently Tasted Anderson Valley, Mendocino Ridge and Mendocino County Pinot Noir (11.6 7/8/2017)
More Sips of Anderson Valley Pinot Noir (9.44 7/28/2014)
Pinot Briefs (8.22 9/22/2010)
Pinot Briefs (9.10 8/22/2012)
Pinot Briefs (8.13 4/8/2010)
Press Tasting of Current Anderson Valley Pinot Noir Releases (10.34 7/24/2016)
Quick Trigger: Are Reviews Done Too Soon? (11.18 2/3/2018)
Results of Exclusive Press Tasting of Anderson Valley Pinot Noir (Mendocino Fairgrounds) (11.6 7/8/2017)
Sips of Pinot Noir (8.20 8/24/2010)
Small Sips of California Pinot Noir: Just Drink It (7.3 10/1/2008)
Tastes of World of Pinot Noir (10.7 4/6/2015)
Tasting of Anderson Valley Pinot Noirs (6.28 6/3/2007)
Wineries in Anderson Valley and Mendocino Ridge* (6.60 6/9/2008)
Reviewed Wines
2015 Navarro Vineyards Deep End Blend Anderson Valley Pinot Noir
No tech sheet.
·
Aromas of cherry,
spice, rose, grass and pennyroyal lead to a light to mid weighted wine offering vibrant red fruits with a
compliment of oak. Beautifully balanced and easy to like, with a cherry charged finish.
Score: 91.
Reviewed July 8, 2017
ARTICLE »
2014 Navarro Vineyards Deep End Blend Anderson Valley Pinot Noir
18 months
·
The aroma of dark
crushed cherries is not penetrating but very pleasant and accented with some seasoned barrel. Generously
concentrated black cherry fruit is accented with hints of spice and sassafras. The texture is velvety, the t n’ a
balance is spot on, and there is some finishing vigor. Previously 90
Score: 93.
Reviewed February 4, 2018
ARTICLE »
2014 Navarro Vineyards Premiére Reserve Anderson Valley Chardonnay
13.5% alc., pH 3.39,
TA 0.76, 827 cases, $27. Harvest Brix 24.0º. After a leisurely fermentation, the must was racked to
French oak barrels, 28% new, underwent full malolactic fermentation, and aged 10 months on the
lees.
·
Light golden yellow color in the glass. The nose attracts interest with scents of lemon oil,
pomelo, nutty oak and garrigue. Flavors of lemon, pineapple, honey, almond and toast blend nicely
and are lifted by prime acidity. The wine leaves a good impression with a clean, bright finish
displaying good cut.
Score: 90.
Reviewed December 13, 2016
ARTICLE »
2014 Navarro Vineyards Méthode à l’Ancienne Anderson Valley Pinot Noir (Filtered)
13.9% alc., pH 3.62,
TA 0.65, $32. Harvest Brix 24.9º.
·
Moderately light reddish purple color in the glass. Aromas of cherry,
cranberry and raspberry mix with dried herb scents. Light to mid weight styled and cherry driven, with accents
of spice and dried herbs. Sleek and elegant, but somewhat shallow on the mid palate, finishing modestly. The
wine seems stripped of its character compared to the unfiltered bottling.
Score: 88.
Reviewed December 13, 2016
ARTICLE »
2014 Navarro Vineyards Méthode à l’Ancienne Anderson Valley Pinot Noir (Unfiltered)
13.9% alc., pH 3.62, TA 0.65,
$35. Harvest Brix 24.9º.
·
Moderate reddish purple color in the
glass. Considerably more aromatic than the filtered wine, with
soaring aromas of darker cherries, spice and earthy flora.
Fuller, weightier and more round shouldered on the palate with
beguiling fruit flavors of black cherry and black raspberry. A subtle thread
of savory herbs plies the background. The texture is very soothing and
the wine offers more fruit and length on the finish than the filtered twin.
Still quite enjoyable the following day from a previously opened and recorked
bottle.
Score: 91.
Reviewed December 13, 2016
ARTICLE »
2014 Navarro Vineyards Deep End Blend Anderson Valley Pinot Noir
14.3% alc., 1,355 cases, $55.
·
Moderate reddish purple color in the glass. Complex array of aromas greet the drinker including black cherry,
exotic spices and oak barrel driven anise and char notes. A dark cherry bombast with accents of savory herbs
and sweet oak, leading to a lip-smacking, black raspberry infused finish.
Score: 90.
Reviewed July 24, 2016
ARTICLE »
2014 Navarro Vineyards Deep End Blend Anderson Valley Pinot Noir
14.3% alc., $55. Sourced from estate, hillside, ocean-view
vineyards (Garden Spot, Marking Corral, Winery & South Hill and Middle
Ridge) with cool marine influence. A cuvée created by blending the
twelve best lots from these hillside vineyards. Four different vineyard
sites, four different Pinot Noir clones, and four different rootstocks.Aged
in French oak barrels, 50% new, for 16 months. Bottled unfiltered.
·
Moderately dark garnet color in the glass. Welcoming aromas of black
cherry, baking spices and a hint of toasty oak. Mid weight in style,
featuring generous waves of black cherry, blackberry and spice flavors
that envelope the palate. Velvety in the mouth with soothing tannins and
an opulent black cherry driven finish. The wine can be described in one
word: ephemeral. Even better when tasted two days later from a
previously opened and re-corked bottle. Decant this one to integrate the new oak and bring out the wine’s best
side.
Score: 93.
Reviewed July 9, 2017
ARTICLE »
2012 Navarro Anderson Valley Pinot Noir
14.2% alc., $19.50.
·
Moderately light reddish purple
color in the glass. Vibrant aromas of Bing cherry and raspberry lead to a mid weight, pleasurable
wine featuring flavors of black cherry, black raspberry and plum with a hint of anise and spice.
Plenty of sap to satisfy, with impressive finishing intensity and length. A forward drinking wine with
good balance that has an impressive finish for a value priced offering.
Score: 90.
Reviewed July 28, 2014
ARTICLE »
2012 Navarro Méthode Á L’Ancienne Anderson Valley Pinot Noir
14.1% alc., $29.
·
Medium
reddish purple color in the glass. The nose is reserved initially, opening nicely over time in the glass
to reveal scents of red cherry, herb garden and floral goodness. More polished and less ripe fruit
flavored than the Anderson Valley bottling. The cherry fruit really stands out in this mid weight wine
with additional accents of raspberry and baking spices. Very sleek and refined and quite forward.
Does not have the fruit-filled finish of the Anderson Valley bottling, but is a more high-collared,
sophisticated offering.
Score: 92.
Reviewed July 28, 2014
ARTICLE »
2012 Navarro Deep End Blend Anderson Valley Pinot Noir
14.3% alc., $49. Sourced from Middle
Ridge, Marking Corral, Garden Spot and South Hill vineyards.
·
Moderate reddish purple color in the
glass. The nose is both exotic and fruity, offering scents of dark cherries, black raspberries and
redwood forest. A beautiful wine in all respects with plenty of spicy black cherry and black raspberry
fruit supported by integrated fine-grain tannins, and an intensely fruited finish. This wine has a special
texture which is hard to describe, but stands out from the other two 2012 Pinot Noir bottlings from
Navarro. So juicy and tasty, you can “nibble” at it.
Score: 94.
Reviewed July 28, 2014
ARTICLE »
2012 Navarro Vineyards Deep End Blend Anderson Valley Pinot Noir
14.3% alc., $49.
·
Moderate reddish
purple color in the glass. Aromas of cherry, alpine strawberry, spice cabinet and red rose petal leap from the
glass, holding court over an extended time in the glass. Very showy and glorious mid weight plus core of black
cherry, black raspberry and spice flavors. Impeccable harmony, with an extended, expansive finish that puts a
smile on your face. Extraordinary!
Score: 94+.
Reviewed April 4, 2015
ARTICLE »
2010 Navarro Vineyards Methode à l’Anciene Anderson Valley Pinot Noir
14.1% alc., pH 3.54, TA 0.74,
2,463 cases, $29, release November 1, 2012. 100% de-stemmed, aged in 39% new French oak barrels.
·
Medium reddish-purple color in the glass. Aromas of hibiscus, deep red cherries and spice. Mid weight flavors
of darker red stone fruits with a complimentary hint of oak. Very drinkable now with a highly aromatic, fruitfilled
finish. Very good.
Reviewed June 24, 2012
ARTICLE »
2009 Navarro Méthode A L’Ancienne Anderson Valley Pinot Noir
14.2% alc., pH 3.68, TA
0.67, 4,910 cases, $29.
·
Medium reddish-purple color in the glass. Demure, but pleasing
aromas of black raspberries and boysenberries with a hint of brier and oak. Fresh and uplifting
on the palate with a darker berry and black cherry flavor profile. Medium-weighted with well-behaved
tannins and bright acidity. Admirable balance predicts longevity.
Reviewed February 22, 2012
ARTICLE »
2009 Navarro Vineyards Deep End Blend Anderson Valley Pinot Noir
14.2% alc., pH 3.56, TA 0.69, 979 cases, $49. Release August 1, 2011.
·
Medium reddish-purple color and clear in the glass. Shy, but spirited aromas
of cherries and berries. Layers of fruit flavor cascade over the palate revealing
notes of plums, cherries and berries. Smoothly textured with gossamer
tannins. A well-crafted wine that aims to please. Very good (+).
Reviewed July 1, 2011
ARTICLE »
2008 Navarro Vineyards Deep End Blend Anderson Valley Pinot Noir
13.8% alc., $38 (futures price).
·
Moderately dark ruby color in the glass. Nice fruity aromas of plums and blackberry jam with a hint of herbal
oak and smoke. Tasty darker fruit core with a tarry, smoky, ash edge. Nicely crafted with lively acidity and
some grape tannins to shed. One of the better smoke affected 08s from Anderson Valley. Decent. Note:
Navarro made the welcome gesture of sending out a bottle of this wine free to all buyers of previous vintages
(including myself) to allow them to evaluate it and decide if they wanted to buy the wine despite the vintage
challenges.
Reviewed August 24, 2010
ARTICLE »
2008 Navarro Vineyards Deep End Blend Anderson Valley Pinot Noir
13.8% alc., pH 3.74, 1,125 cases,
$49. To be released in the summer 2010. Clones 115, 667 and 777.
·
Moderately deep reddish-purple color in
the glass. Ripely fruited with prominent ash notes on the nose and palate. There is a core of pretty cherry and
berry fruit lurking in the background but it can’t compete with the smoke taint. Reflects the vintage. Decent.
Reviewed June 8, 2010
ARTICLE »
2007 Navarro Méthode A L’Ancienne Anderson Valley Pinot Noir
13.8% alc., $29.
·
Moderate reddish-purple robe in the glass.
Similar to the 2006 vintage but has its own style with a little more
structure and darker fruits. Black cherries are the theme with
perfect integration of toasty oak. Finishes with a lingering
aromatic intensity that aims to please. Outstanding.
Reviewed February 22, 2012
ARTICLE »
2007 Navarro Vineyards Deep End Blend Anderson Valley Pinot Noir
13.9% alc., 1,572 cases, $49. Release date March 2010. Harvest Brix 26.5º.
Clones are 114, 115, 667, 777 and Pommard 4.
·
This is a precocious wine that
is very approachable now. Charming perfume of a fresh cherry pie with a hint
of oak spice. Plums and berries lead the balanced attack with a perfect tug of
acidity. Smooth and refined with an appealing elegance. Pick any superlative
you want. Could be the best Anderson Valley Pinot Noir I tasted at this year’s
Festival.
Reviewed June 5, 2009
ARTICLE »
2006 Navarro Mendocino Pinot Noir
$19.
·
An entry level Pinot Noir which is
perfectly fine for what it is. Pleasant with lightly spiced red fruits and sparkling
acidity.
Reviewed June 9, 2008
ARTICLE »
2006 Navarro Méthode A L’Ancienne Anderson Valley Pinot Noir
13.7% alc., $29.
·
Moderately light reddish-purple color in the glass. Appealing bright aromas of black cherries,
berry jam on brioche and a hint of vanilla. Seamless on the palate with a delicious core of
cherries, a complimentary hint of anise and oak, mild tannins, and a finishing charge of cherries
jubilee. Impeccable balance.
Reviewed February 22, 2012
ARTICLE »
2006 Navarro Methode L’Ancienne Anderson Valley Pinot Noir
$29.
·
This
is the flagship Pinot Noir which is widely available. Year in and year out it is
consistently fine and this vintage is no exception. Perfumed with cherries,
roses and tea, and both cherries and herbs leap out on the palate. Oak is
deftly integrated. Beautifully crafted and harmonious, a terrific Pinot and one
of the best tasted this Festival weekend. A steal at this price.
Reviewed June 9, 2008
ARTICLE »
2006 Navarro Deep End Anderson Valley Pinot Noir
$45.
·
Primarily pre-sold to wine club members.
This one has the most backbone and structure and will reward patience. All the good stuff is there and
worth joining the wine club to get your hands on some.
Reviewed June 9, 2008
ARTICLE »
2005 Navarro Vineyards Méthode à l’Ancienne Anderson Valley Pinot Noir
13.7% alc., $33. The top of the line Navarro Pinot Noir. The name refers to
gentle punch downs of the fermenting must. The grapes come from the very
cool northern “deep end” part of the Anderson Valley and are mostly estate
grown. There is a variety of clones including Dijon 113, 114,115, 667, 777,
Pommard 4 and Martini 13, and two field blends of Chalone and David Bruce,
all planted on various rootstocks using different trellises at elevations of 300 to 1,300
feet.
·
A fragrant wine that picks up intensity and interest with time in the glass. Deep,
rich black cherry, herb and hay scents. Full-flavored but elegant and beautifully
composed with crisp acidity. Cherry-driven flavor profile with savory herbs. A
ballerina in full-flight.
Reviewed October 1, 2008
ARTICLE »
2004 Navarro Mendocino County Pinot Noir
13.4% alc., $16. Sourced from several local family owned vineyards. Fashioned in the same manner as the winery's more complex bottling labeled as "Deep End," and is aged 10 months in French oak.
·
A very stylish effort from a consistent and highly respected Anderson Valley producer. The wine is like a teddy bear: soft, cuddly, and comfortable with no hard edges. The aromas are dreamy with plenty of cherry, strawberry and vanilla evident. The Pinot fruits are presented with delicacy, and the finish, while not lingering, has brisk acidity. A steal at this price.
Reviewed September 5, 2006
2004 Navarro Methode l’Ancienne Anderson Valley Pinot Noir
13.8% alc., $25.
·
The first pour offers
striking floral and redwood notes in the aromas, but with air the wine moves toward an equally appealing
rich dark cherry and toast profile. Cherry, strawberry and rhubarb pie make up the core flavors which
have good intensity. The tannins are supple.
Reviewed June 3, 2007
ARTICLE »
2004 Navarro Deep End Blend Anderson Valley Pinot Noir
13.9% alc, $45.
·
This is a deeply colored
Pinot Noir with plenty of vigor. The nose and flavors are very pinotypical and the winemaking here is
seamless. The dark, plummy fruit is saucy and lush.
Reviewed June 3, 2007
ARTICLE »
2000 Navarro Anderson Valley Pinot Noir
First vintage without whole cluster. 12% Savoy Vineyard fruit.
·
Quite enjoyable although slightly oxidized showing aromas of black currants, plums and mushrooms. On the
palate, the fruit is slightly roasted with notes of brown spice and root beer.
Reviewed June 8, 2010
ARTICLE »
1994 Navarro Anderson Valley Pinot Noir
15% whole cluster.
·
Good color. Aromas of plums, earth and
barnyard. Impressive dark stone fruit intensity with a sweet tone. Still enjoyable.
Reviewed June 8, 2010
ARTICLE »
1991 Navarro Anderson Valley Pinot Noir
20% whole cluster. 10% new oak.
·
Slight orange tinge to the rim.
Moderately light in color. Hint of fig, soy and prune in the nose. Flavors of dried cherry skin, veering to the tart
side. Still very decent, needing food to balance out the acidity.
Reviewed June 8, 2010
ARTICLE »
2015 Navarro Vineyards Deep End Blend Anderson Valley Pinot Noir
No tech sheet. · Aromas of cherry, spice, rose, grass and pennyroyal lead to a light to mid weighted wine offering vibrant red fruits with a compliment of oak. Beautifully balanced and easy to like, with a cherry charged finish. Score: 91. Reviewed July 8, 2017 ARTICLE »
2014 Navarro Vineyards Deep End Blend Anderson Valley Pinot Noir
18 months · The aroma of dark crushed cherries is not penetrating but very pleasant and accented with some seasoned barrel. Generously concentrated black cherry fruit is accented with hints of spice and sassafras. The texture is velvety, the t n’ a balance is spot on, and there is some finishing vigor. Previously 90 Score: 93. Reviewed February 4, 2018 ARTICLE »
2014 Navarro Vineyards Premiére Reserve Anderson Valley Chardonnay
13.5% alc., pH 3.39, TA 0.76, 827 cases, $27. Harvest Brix 24.0º. After a leisurely fermentation, the must was racked to French oak barrels, 28% new, underwent full malolactic fermentation, and aged 10 months on the lees. · Light golden yellow color in the glass. The nose attracts interest with scents of lemon oil, pomelo, nutty oak and garrigue. Flavors of lemon, pineapple, honey, almond and toast blend nicely and are lifted by prime acidity. The wine leaves a good impression with a clean, bright finish displaying good cut. Score: 90. Reviewed December 13, 2016 ARTICLE »
2014 Navarro Vineyards Méthode à l’Ancienne Anderson Valley Pinot Noir (Filtered)
13.9% alc., pH 3.62, TA 0.65, $32. Harvest Brix 24.9º. · Moderately light reddish purple color in the glass. Aromas of cherry, cranberry and raspberry mix with dried herb scents. Light to mid weight styled and cherry driven, with accents of spice and dried herbs. Sleek and elegant, but somewhat shallow on the mid palate, finishing modestly. The wine seems stripped of its character compared to the unfiltered bottling. Score: 88. Reviewed December 13, 2016 ARTICLE »
2014 Navarro Vineyards Méthode à l’Ancienne Anderson Valley Pinot Noir (Unfiltered)
13.9% alc., pH 3.62, TA 0.65, $35. Harvest Brix 24.9º. · Moderate reddish purple color in the glass. Considerably more aromatic than the filtered wine, with soaring aromas of darker cherries, spice and earthy flora. Fuller, weightier and more round shouldered on the palate with beguiling fruit flavors of black cherry and black raspberry. A subtle thread of savory herbs plies the background. The texture is very soothing and the wine offers more fruit and length on the finish than the filtered twin. Still quite enjoyable the following day from a previously opened and recorked bottle. Score: 91. Reviewed December 13, 2016 ARTICLE »
2014 Navarro Vineyards Deep End Blend Anderson Valley Pinot Noir
14.3% alc., 1,355 cases, $55. · Moderate reddish purple color in the glass. Complex array of aromas greet the drinker including black cherry, exotic spices and oak barrel driven anise and char notes. A dark cherry bombast with accents of savory herbs and sweet oak, leading to a lip-smacking, black raspberry infused finish. Score: 90. Reviewed July 24, 2016 ARTICLE »
2014 Navarro Vineyards Deep End Blend Anderson Valley Pinot Noir
14.3% alc., $55. Sourced from estate, hillside, ocean-view vineyards (Garden Spot, Marking Corral, Winery & South Hill and Middle Ridge) with cool marine influence. A cuvée created by blending the twelve best lots from these hillside vineyards. Four different vineyard sites, four different Pinot Noir clones, and four different rootstocks.Aged in French oak barrels, 50% new, for 16 months. Bottled unfiltered. · Moderately dark garnet color in the glass. Welcoming aromas of black cherry, baking spices and a hint of toasty oak. Mid weight in style, featuring generous waves of black cherry, blackberry and spice flavors that envelope the palate. Velvety in the mouth with soothing tannins and an opulent black cherry driven finish. The wine can be described in one word: ephemeral. Even better when tasted two days later from a previously opened and re-corked bottle. Decant this one to integrate the new oak and bring out the wine’s best side. Score: 93. Reviewed July 9, 2017 ARTICLE »
2012 Navarro Anderson Valley Pinot Noir
14.2% alc., $19.50. · Moderately light reddish purple color in the glass. Vibrant aromas of Bing cherry and raspberry lead to a mid weight, pleasurable wine featuring flavors of black cherry, black raspberry and plum with a hint of anise and spice. Plenty of sap to satisfy, with impressive finishing intensity and length. A forward drinking wine with good balance that has an impressive finish for a value priced offering. Score: 90. Reviewed July 28, 2014 ARTICLE »
2012 Navarro Méthode Á L’Ancienne Anderson Valley Pinot Noir
14.1% alc., $29. · Medium reddish purple color in the glass. The nose is reserved initially, opening nicely over time in the glass to reveal scents of red cherry, herb garden and floral goodness. More polished and less ripe fruit flavored than the Anderson Valley bottling. The cherry fruit really stands out in this mid weight wine with additional accents of raspberry and baking spices. Very sleek and refined and quite forward. Does not have the fruit-filled finish of the Anderson Valley bottling, but is a more high-collared, sophisticated offering. Score: 92. Reviewed July 28, 2014 ARTICLE »
2012 Navarro Deep End Blend Anderson Valley Pinot Noir
14.3% alc., $49. Sourced from Middle Ridge, Marking Corral, Garden Spot and South Hill vineyards. · Moderate reddish purple color in the glass. The nose is both exotic and fruity, offering scents of dark cherries, black raspberries and redwood forest. A beautiful wine in all respects with plenty of spicy black cherry and black raspberry fruit supported by integrated fine-grain tannins, and an intensely fruited finish. This wine has a special texture which is hard to describe, but stands out from the other two 2012 Pinot Noir bottlings from Navarro. So juicy and tasty, you can “nibble” at it. Score: 94. Reviewed July 28, 2014 ARTICLE »
2012 Navarro Vineyards Deep End Blend Anderson Valley Pinot Noir
14.3% alc., $49. · Moderate reddish purple color in the glass. Aromas of cherry, alpine strawberry, spice cabinet and red rose petal leap from the glass, holding court over an extended time in the glass. Very showy and glorious mid weight plus core of black cherry, black raspberry and spice flavors. Impeccable harmony, with an extended, expansive finish that puts a smile on your face. Extraordinary! Score: 94+. Reviewed April 4, 2015 ARTICLE »
2010 Navarro Vineyards Methode à l’Anciene Anderson Valley Pinot Noir
14.1% alc., pH 3.54, TA 0.74, 2,463 cases, $29, release November 1, 2012. 100% de-stemmed, aged in 39% new French oak barrels. · Medium reddish-purple color in the glass. Aromas of hibiscus, deep red cherries and spice. Mid weight flavors of darker red stone fruits with a complimentary hint of oak. Very drinkable now with a highly aromatic, fruitfilled finish. Very good. Reviewed June 24, 2012 ARTICLE »
2009 Navarro Méthode A L’Ancienne Anderson Valley Pinot Noir
14.2% alc., pH 3.68, TA 0.67, 4,910 cases, $29. · Medium reddish-purple color in the glass. Demure, but pleasing aromas of black raspberries and boysenberries with a hint of brier and oak. Fresh and uplifting on the palate with a darker berry and black cherry flavor profile. Medium-weighted with well-behaved tannins and bright acidity. Admirable balance predicts longevity. Reviewed February 22, 2012 ARTICLE »
2009 Navarro Vineyards Deep End Blend Anderson Valley Pinot Noir
14.2% alc., pH 3.56, TA 0.69, 979 cases, $49. Release August 1, 2011. · Medium reddish-purple color and clear in the glass. Shy, but spirited aromas of cherries and berries. Layers of fruit flavor cascade over the palate revealing notes of plums, cherries and berries. Smoothly textured with gossamer tannins. A well-crafted wine that aims to please. Very good (+). Reviewed July 1, 2011 ARTICLE »
2008 Navarro Vineyards Deep End Blend Anderson Valley Pinot Noir
13.8% alc., $38 (futures price). · Moderately dark ruby color in the glass. Nice fruity aromas of plums and blackberry jam with a hint of herbal oak and smoke. Tasty darker fruit core with a tarry, smoky, ash edge. Nicely crafted with lively acidity and some grape tannins to shed. One of the better smoke affected 08s from Anderson Valley. Decent. Note: Navarro made the welcome gesture of sending out a bottle of this wine free to all buyers of previous vintages (including myself) to allow them to evaluate it and decide if they wanted to buy the wine despite the vintage challenges. Reviewed August 24, 2010 ARTICLE »
2008 Navarro Vineyards Deep End Blend Anderson Valley Pinot Noir
13.8% alc., pH 3.74, 1,125 cases, $49. To be released in the summer 2010. Clones 115, 667 and 777. · Moderately deep reddish-purple color in the glass. Ripely fruited with prominent ash notes on the nose and palate. There is a core of pretty cherry and berry fruit lurking in the background but it can’t compete with the smoke taint. Reflects the vintage. Decent. Reviewed June 8, 2010 ARTICLE »
2007 Navarro Méthode A L’Ancienne Anderson Valley Pinot Noir
13.8% alc., $29. · Moderate reddish-purple robe in the glass. Similar to the 2006 vintage but has its own style with a little more structure and darker fruits. Black cherries are the theme with perfect integration of toasty oak. Finishes with a lingering aromatic intensity that aims to please. Outstanding. Reviewed February 22, 2012 ARTICLE »
2007 Navarro Vineyards Deep End Blend Anderson Valley Pinot Noir
13.9% alc., 1,572 cases, $49. Release date March 2010. Harvest Brix 26.5º. Clones are 114, 115, 667, 777 and Pommard 4. · This is a precocious wine that is very approachable now. Charming perfume of a fresh cherry pie with a hint of oak spice. Plums and berries lead the balanced attack with a perfect tug of acidity. Smooth and refined with an appealing elegance. Pick any superlative you want. Could be the best Anderson Valley Pinot Noir I tasted at this year’s Festival. Reviewed June 5, 2009 ARTICLE »
2006 Navarro Mendocino Pinot Noir
$19. · An entry level Pinot Noir which is perfectly fine for what it is. Pleasant with lightly spiced red fruits and sparkling acidity. Reviewed June 9, 2008 ARTICLE »
2006 Navarro Méthode A L’Ancienne Anderson Valley Pinot Noir
13.7% alc., $29. · Moderately light reddish-purple color in the glass. Appealing bright aromas of black cherries, berry jam on brioche and a hint of vanilla. Seamless on the palate with a delicious core of cherries, a complimentary hint of anise and oak, mild tannins, and a finishing charge of cherries jubilee. Impeccable balance. Reviewed February 22, 2012 ARTICLE »
2006 Navarro Methode L’Ancienne Anderson Valley Pinot Noir
$29. · This is the flagship Pinot Noir which is widely available. Year in and year out it is consistently fine and this vintage is no exception. Perfumed with cherries, roses and tea, and both cherries and herbs leap out on the palate. Oak is deftly integrated. Beautifully crafted and harmonious, a terrific Pinot and one of the best tasted this Festival weekend. A steal at this price. Reviewed June 9, 2008 ARTICLE »
2006 Navarro Deep End Anderson Valley Pinot Noir
$45. · Primarily pre-sold to wine club members. This one has the most backbone and structure and will reward patience. All the good stuff is there and worth joining the wine club to get your hands on some. Reviewed June 9, 2008 ARTICLE »
2005 Navarro Vineyards Méthode à l’Ancienne Anderson Valley Pinot Noir
13.7% alc., $33. The top of the line Navarro Pinot Noir. The name refers to gentle punch downs of the fermenting must. The grapes come from the very cool northern “deep end” part of the Anderson Valley and are mostly estate grown. There is a variety of clones including Dijon 113, 114,115, 667, 777, Pommard 4 and Martini 13, and two field blends of Chalone and David Bruce, all planted on various rootstocks using different trellises at elevations of 300 to 1,300 feet. · A fragrant wine that picks up intensity and interest with time in the glass. Deep, rich black cherry, herb and hay scents. Full-flavored but elegant and beautifully composed with crisp acidity. Cherry-driven flavor profile with savory herbs. A ballerina in full-flight. Reviewed October 1, 2008 ARTICLE »
2004 Navarro Mendocino County Pinot Noir
13.4% alc., $16. Sourced from several local family owned vineyards. Fashioned in the same manner as the winery's more complex bottling labeled as "Deep End," and is aged 10 months in French oak. · A very stylish effort from a consistent and highly respected Anderson Valley producer. The wine is like a teddy bear: soft, cuddly, and comfortable with no hard edges. The aromas are dreamy with plenty of cherry, strawberry and vanilla evident. The Pinot fruits are presented with delicacy, and the finish, while not lingering, has brisk acidity. A steal at this price. Reviewed September 5, 2006
2004 Navarro Methode l’Ancienne Anderson Valley Pinot Noir
13.8% alc., $25. · The first pour offers striking floral and redwood notes in the aromas, but with air the wine moves toward an equally appealing rich dark cherry and toast profile. Cherry, strawberry and rhubarb pie make up the core flavors which have good intensity. The tannins are supple. Reviewed June 3, 2007 ARTICLE »
2004 Navarro Deep End Blend Anderson Valley Pinot Noir
13.9% alc, $45. · This is a deeply colored Pinot Noir with plenty of vigor. The nose and flavors are very pinotypical and the winemaking here is seamless. The dark, plummy fruit is saucy and lush. Reviewed June 3, 2007 ARTICLE »
2000 Navarro Anderson Valley Pinot Noir
First vintage without whole cluster. 12% Savoy Vineyard fruit. · Quite enjoyable although slightly oxidized showing aromas of black currants, plums and mushrooms. On the palate, the fruit is slightly roasted with notes of brown spice and root beer. Reviewed June 8, 2010 ARTICLE »
1994 Navarro Anderson Valley Pinot Noir
15% whole cluster. · Good color. Aromas of plums, earth and barnyard. Impressive dark stone fruit intensity with a sweet tone. Still enjoyable. Reviewed June 8, 2010 ARTICLE »
1991 Navarro Anderson Valley Pinot Noir
20% whole cluster. 10% new oak. · Slight orange tinge to the rim. Moderately light in color. Hint of fig, soy and prune in the nose. Flavors of dried cherry skin, veering to the tart side. Still very decent, needing food to balance out the acidity. Reviewed June 8, 2010 ARTICLE »