Navarro Vineyards - 2006 Navarro Brut

2006 Navarro Brut
Anderson Valley, Mendocino
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Peachy celebration

We try not to be envious of our neighbors who are finished picking grapes for sparkling wine while we're still stressing about the weather. Good sparklers comes from grapes harvested at only 20 degrees Brix, weeks before grapes are ready for still wine. Most winemakers focus on Pinot Noir and Chardonnay for sparkling wine but Navarro admits to a rebel streak. In 1989 we made our first sparkling Gewürztraminer and fans still ask when we'll make more. This is our third bottling. We don't make it every vintage because most years we are fairly confident that we will get our grapes to 24° Brix, perfect for our signature still Gewürz. In 2006 we weren't sure. The vintage was cold and late and the grapes had already turned a lovely ripe, russet color at only 20° Brix. Just as importantly, it was one of the rare vintages where we had several blocks of Gewürztraminer with no millerandage; all the berries were normal-sized two-seeded berries.

On the 15th and 16th of September we harvested the north half of the Peach field for this festive bottling.

We celebrated a plentiful harvest of our favorite grape from a second generation of vines; all the berries were the same size (see below) yielding a high ratio of aromatic and finely flavored free-run juice.

The ratio of free-run juice to skins was high, promoting fine flavors, clean aromas and high natural acidity, perfect for sparkling wine. We decided to celebrate with this bottling. We blended 10% Chardonnay into the cuvée to strengthen the wine's backbone. Delicate peach and spice in the aromas and flavors combined with fresh baked-bread yeastiness and a dazzling citrusy finish. Silver Medal winner.

Specifications

Harvested: Sept. 15 to 16, 2006
Sugars at harvest: 19.6° Brix
Bottled: July 21, 2008
Cases produced: 1124
Alcohol: 12.0%
Residual sugars: 1.2%
Titratable acidity: 9.2 g/L
pH: 3.01

2013 Navarro Gewürztraminer Brut

“This pale straw colored sparkler has tons of bubbles, which explains why it exploded onto the scene. It opens with a bread dough and light lime bouquet. On the palate, this wine is light bodied, balanced, and pleasant. The flavor profile is a light mineral infused sour dough bread with hints of lemon-lime. The finish is dry and refreshing. This Sparkler is made with 100% Gewurztraminer. It is food friendly and will be a crowd pleaser. I would pair it with broiled scallop appetizers” —Ken Hoggins, Ken’s Wine Guide

2009 Navarro Gewürztraminer Brut

You don't see many Gewürztraminer bubblies, but this is a lovely wine. The floral and stone fruit aromas mix with spice, nuts and crisp, vibrant flavors of kiwifruit, lime and blanched hazelnut. A distinctive change of pace.Tim Fish, Wine Spectator, Website 2013.

2006 Navarro Gewürztraminer Brut

This mildly scented bubbly was made from grapes picked at less than 200 Brix in mid-September (early for Anderson Valley), so the spice character is muted now, but should show up with another six months of cellar time. I love the finish! Dry and crisp, a truly superb alternative sparkling wine flavor. — Dan Berger, Dan Berger’s Vintage Experiences, November 6, 2008.