January 25, 2012
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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) along with 5 acres of Pinot Noir (UCD-4) on one rootstock. Today they own 33 acres of estate Pinot Noir with 9 clones on 6 rootstocks divided into eight unique parcels ranging from 350 to 1500 feet in altitude. They source additional amounts of Pinot Noir 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 since 1992. 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). Navarro is also a leading producer of Alsatian-style wines.
The tasting room in Philo on Highway 128 is open daily. A very informative newsletter is sent to mailing list customers. 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.
Articles About Navarro Vineyards
Anderson Noir Valley Pinot Festival: After the Smoke Clears (8.16 6/8/2010)
Anderson Valley Pinot Noir Festival Technical Conference (8.16 6/8/2010)
Andersonoir Valley Pinot Noir Festival (8.40 6/30/2011)
Pinot Briefs (8.22 9/22/2010)
Pinot Briefs (8.13 4/8/2010)
Sips of Pinot Noir (8.20 8/24/2010)
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
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 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 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 »
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 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 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 »
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