Navarro Vineyards

Owner(s)	Ted Bennet, Deborah Cahn
Web site	www.navarrowine.com

Link to this site	How to link to an article or review about your winery..

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) with Pinot Noir coming several years later. 4 acres of Pinot Noir were planted in 1974 - one clone planted on one rootstock. Today they own 31 acres of estate Pinot Noir with 9 clones on 6 rootstocks and source additional amounts from other Anderson Valley vineyards. The next generation, Aaron and Sarah Cahn Bennett, now are actively involved in the winery. Winemaker Jim Klein has been at Navarro for 15 years. Three Pinot Noirs are produced: a Mendocino blend, a Methode a l'Ancienne Anderson Valley Pinot Noir, and a Deep End Anderson Valley Pinot Noir (the most age worthy). The tasting room in Philo on Highway 128 is open daily. A very informative newsletter is sent to mailing list customers. The wines are of the highest quality, yet the prices continue to be very reasonable.

Articles About Navarro Vineyards

Anderson Noir Valley Pinot (Pt II) (7.19 6/5/2009)
Small Sips of California Pinot Noir: Just Drink It (7.3 10/1/2008)
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

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 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 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 »