2022 Estate Bottled Gewürztraminer
93 points. “Classic Gewürztraminer aromas immediately waft out of the glass—rose, lychee, yellow peach, pineapple and the floral-meets-spice character of dusty white pepper. The palate is dry, with just a slight little fizz that, along with the high acidity, brings life and liveliness to the whole tasting.” —Stacy Briscoe, Wine Enthusiast
2021 Estate Bottled Gewürztrminer
95 points. “This bottling will get you. I’ve seen dyed-in-the-wool “Gavurtz” despisers change their tune when tasting this California classic. While there is a little vintage variation year over year, one thing doesn’t change, and that’s purity of varietal character and quality of the winemaking. This is one of the great white wines of the world — no question.” —Rich Cook, Wine Review Online
90 points. “This medium- to full-bodied wine is packed with friendly, fruit-basket aromas and flavors softened by a touch of perceived sweetness. It's fresh and delicious.” —Jim Gordon, Wine Enthusiast
2020 Estate Bottled Gewürtraminer
92 points. Editors’ Choice. “Heady aromas of rose petals and lychee lead to rich, vibrant peach, apricot and lychee flavors in this full-bodied, dry yet nicely viscous wine. It's a great example of how well cool-climate grape varieties perform in this part of Mendocino County.” —Jim Gordon, Wine Enthusiast
“This white gold colored Gewurztraminer from Navarro is very good. It opens with a lychee and ginger bouquet with a hint of grapefruit. On the palate, this wine is light bodied with medium plus acidity. The flavor profile is similar the nose featuring lychee and ginger with notes of quince, grapefruit, and nectarine pit. It flavors linger and last for while on the finish. This Gewurz served cool, will pair nicely with a beach and a hot day.” —Ken Hoggins, Ken’s Wine Guide
94 points. “They say that confession is good for the soul, so I should acknowledge up front that I am not generally a fan of Gewürztraminer, which is often too perfumed and insufficiently acidic for my taste. But with that said, when even I find an example that I consider outstanding by any standard, we’re definitely onto something special. Navarro has as good a track record with this variety as any producer anywhere—including Alsace and Alto Adige—and a record that is way, way better than most. This is very expressive aromatically, with lovely floral topnotes that aren’t pungent or overbearing, and hence not “perfumed” in the way I employ that term (which is derogatory). The scents are alluring, and the flavors deliver on their promise, showing generous and pure fruit that is energized by much more abundant and energetic acidity than is the norm. Moreover, the acidity is perfectly integrated with the fruit, and the dry finish doesn’t seem at all discordant with the floral aromas (which can suggest that sweetness is on the way, producing a disconcerting sensory effect known as “disagreement”). This is undeniably delicious, and hence I anticipate no disagreement with my admiration from anyone who tastes it.” —Michael Franz, Wine Review Online
2019 Estate Bottled Gewürtraminer
89 points. “This high-quality, refreshing, dry wine balances exuberant peach and lychee flavors with vivid acidity and medium body for an appetizing, palate-cleansing effect.” —Jim Gordon, Wine Enthusiast
2018 Estate Bottled Gewürztraminer
“Ted Bennett and Deborah Cahn bought their land in the Anderson Valley back in 1973 and planted their first Gewürztraminer vines in 1975. Their dry version is full of classic lychee and spice notes.” —Ray Isle, “What it Means When the Winemaker Lives Among the Vines,” Food & Wine Magazine
"Brilliant aromas of dried ginger, lychee fruit and pink grapefruit zest transition to tastes of zesty green apple, crisp pear and candied kumquat. Stepping back from my high-falutin’ descriptions, the Navarro Dry Gewürztraminer 2018 is true to its name: Dry and “Gewürz” (German for spice). Medium/light bodied, less floral and less overwhelming than many Gewürztraminers of this high caliber, which from a consumer perspective I suspect is to its benefit. This wine is too damn easy to drink." DanDawsonWineAdvisor.com
"I dare not single out a wine as a flagship offering from this producer. They have too many great things in their portfolio to choose just one. This is probably their most famed product, and rightfully so. With Gewürztraminer's presence in the state down to a trickle, Navarro wisely ignores trends and continues to put great care into this wine. The 2018 offers great typicity – tangerine, lychee and spice aromas and flavors dance together in a beautifully dry, vibrantly acidic palate space, finishing crisply with lingering impressions of alpine flowers and wet stone. This wine is a personal favorite, and a ridiculous value!" WineReveiewOnline.com
"This dry (or nearly dry) wine is lively and well-balanced, fresh and appetizing. Rose petal and peach aromas lead to citrus and peach flavors that are charming and nicely concentrated." Wine Enthusiast magazine
2017 Estate Bottled Gewürztraminer
"Dry and crisp, this aromatic wine is packed with delicious, concentrated floral, fruity and spicy flavors that are well-balanced by acidity. It is rather full bodied but stays appetizing and refreshing while still overflowing with rose petal, Anjou pear and lychee notes." Wine Enthusiast magazine
"The almost clear colored Gewürztraminer from Navarro is classic in style. It opens with a pleasant lychee bouquet with a hint of lilac. On the palate, this wine is light bodied and balanced. The flavor profile is a tasty lychee with notes of apricot and minerality. We also detected little hints of green apple and lime mixed in as well. The finish is dry and its flavors linger nicely." KensWineReviews.com
2016 Estate Bottled Gewürztraminer
"Packed with apples, peaches and raspberries, this light-bodied wine was aged in large oak casks and is quite fruity without being at all sweet. It has very good balance, is thirst-quenching but not filling, and will pair well with a range of seafood, salads and lighter main dishes." Wine Enthusiast magazine
2015 Estate Bottled Gewürztraminer
It’s easy to see why this is Navarro’s most popular wine…it is simply beautiful. The nose exhibits fruit and complexity in a very refined way. The palate also features strong fruit, but accompanied by exceptional balance, integration and refinement, all of which are prolonged through a lengthy, highly enjoyable finish.John Vankat, Arizona Daily Sun, January 11, 2017.
2014 Estate Bottled Gewürztraminer
This is a big, beautiful floral-tasting wine with rose-petal aromas, rich body, ripe peach and rose-hip tea
flavors. It's very assertive in flavor and smooth in texture, with a lingering floral finish..- Jim Gordon, Wine Enthusiast, November 1, 2016
The 2014 Gewürztraminer ($19.50), Navarro’s flagship wine, is
balanced and pleasantly dry, with hints of rose petal, lychee and
tropical fruit, and it was graced by a clean finish.- Anne Valdespino, The Orange County7 Register, April 5, 2016
This pale gold colored Gewürztraminer was clearly the best of three
from a mini-tasting we had over the weekend. It opens with fragrant ginger and mild tangerine bouquet with hints of wet stone. On the palate, this wine is medium bodied, slightly acidic and mouthwatering. The flavor profile is a tasty mild Anjou pear with notes of ginger. I also detected hints of oak, mild minerality and nutmeg. The finish is dry and its flavors fade away nicely. This Gewürztraminer is very food friendly and it would pair well with pasta carbonara. Enjoy -KenKen Hoggin, www.KensWineGuide.com, December 30, 2015.
Narvarro, 2014 Anderson Valley, Mendocino Gewürztraminer, 13.7 percent alcohol, $20. This is a gorgeous gewürztraminer, medium-bodied with citrus and spice notes. Nice and dry, with a lingering finish. It’s a perfect Thanksgiving pick because it will marry well with so many of the spice-laden dishes on the table.- Peg Melnik, THE PRESS DEMOCRAT, November 16, 2015
2013 Estate Bottled Gewürztraminer
A gorgeous gewürztraminer with bright acidity and a range of flavors – peach, orange and mineral. Just the right dose of spice. Gewürztraminer at its best. Zesty. Crisp. This wine recently has been seen on the wine list of Hana Sushi in Rohnert Park.- Peg Melnik, THE PRESS DEMOCRAT, August 25, 2015
This emphasizes freshness and a light touch, rather than the assertive flavors that this varietal can produce. It smells like rose petals, has a soft texture, rose petal and pear flavors, and delivers a light spritzy feeling on the tongue.- Jim Gordon, Wine Enthusiast, May 1, 2015
Perhaps the valley's best-known gewürztraminer producer is Navarro Vineyards. When Ted Bennett and Deborah Cahn started their winery
in 1974, they wanted to specialize in something that was out of the ordinary, Cahn once told me, so they settled on gewürztraminer, which they wanted to make in an Alsatian style. They had trouble finding retailers who wanted to stock it,
so they started marketing the gewürztraminer directly to consumers and eventually the wine gained a following. A classic example of dry to barely off-dry gewürztraminer is the 2013 Navarro Estate Dry Gewürztraminer ($19.50), which is spicy and rich, with good varietal character. - By Laurie Daniel, San Jose Mercury News, March 3, 2015
Quite easily one of the best new world
Gewürztraminers out there. Stellar notes of green apple, pear and a hint of jasmine that combine in a very clean-finishing wine that simply begs to be pounded with roasted turkey, mashed potatoes or even Thai food.- Duane Pemberton, Communities Digital News, November 26, 2014
2012 Estate Bottled Gewürztraminer
90 points. “Flavorful and sophisticated at the same time, this wine combines honey, peach, orange and clove flavors for an experience that’s not blatantly fruity, and not sweet, but delightful. Try it with Thai, Chinese, roast pork or at any outdoor occasion.” —Jim Gordon, Wine Enthusiast
2011 Estate Bottled Gewürztraminer
This is an aromatic, honeysuckle-tinged cool-climate white, with layers
of honey and spice. Light in body and texture, this complex, Alsacestyle
effort is the perfect accompaniment to Thai, Indian, Korean
barbecue or spicy Chinese food.- Virginie Boone, Wine Enthusiast, April 1, 2013
TOP 10 THANKSGIVING WINES-Their 2011 Estate Bottled (Dry) Gewürztraminer showcases the Alsatian grape's characteristically intense floral aromas. On the palate, it offers bright citrus flavors and a dry finish.
www.gayot.com, October 29, 2012.
2010 Estate Bottled Gewürztraminer
Best Gewürztraminer. Perfumed and lively, with a delicacy that invites another sip. The finish is buoyant and mouthwatering.- Linda Murphy, Critic's Challenge Wine Competition, 2012
Navarro is a perennial winner of the North of the Gate competition, often in multiple categories. This year the outstanding Navarro wine was the dry Gewürztraminer. This possesses the typical spicy, perfumy nose associated with the grape as well as enough acid and structure to keep it from being flabby or ponderous. I can think of no better wine to go with spicy Thai, Indian, or other Asian cuisine. Pierre DuMont, Piedmont Post, June 20, 2012.
This pale yellow colored Gewürz from Navarro is made in a traditional
Alsatian style. It opens with a fragrant apricot and lychee bouquet. On the palate, this wine is light bodied, balanced and displays the classic Alsatian dry mouthfeel. The flavor profile is an Anjou pear and lychee blend with notes of minerality and a touch of apricot. The finish is rather dry and quite refreshing. This wine is food friendly and would pair well with steamed mussels in a garlic wine broth. Enjoy – KenKen Hoggin, www.KensWineGuide.com, December 6, 2011.
A bit drier than the above wine with an exotic tropical fruit, linalool, and rose aroma. Dry; best served with food. Better in a few months.- Dan Berger, Dan Berger's Vintage Experiences, August,2011.
2009 Estate Bottled Gewürztraminer
A bright gewürztraminer with rich aromas and flavors. Notes of nectarine, peach and spice. Has good acid which gives it a nice lift. Refeshing. Peg Melnik,The Press Democrat, March 2, 2011.
2008 Estate Bottled Gewürztraminer
Fermented in French oak ovals and sur lie aged for seven months. Soft, round, sweet fruit aromas of apple, grapefruit, pear, and light spice continue as flavors with more spice and finish medium-broad and medium-long. It needs more time in the bottle to develop and open and is a Gewürz’ to accompany food. Well put together. Good.
Harold Baer, www.haroldbaerwine.com, February 8, 2011.
Nicely juicy, with a fresh acidity, spicy details and faint rose water, peach and apple pie flavors that are pleasing and aromatic. Drink now. 2,800 cases made
Maryann Worobiec, Wine Spectator, Web Only 2010.
2007 Estate Bottled Gewürztraminer
The winery's flagship wine is plush, yet quite dry, with deep, juicy flavors of pear and stone fruit tinged with spice. Steve Pitcher, San Francisco Chronicle, August 2, 2009 .
a signature wine, is fairly dry and fragrant, with notes of lychee, rose petals and lime Lori Daniel, www.thegrapevine.com, March 4, 2009.
Exceptional
Superb spice of carnation/gardenia, with rose petals and subtle mid-palate flavors that will develop more fully in a year. Just about bone dry.- Dan Berger, Dan Berger's Vintage Experiences, February 26, 2009.
This pale yellow colored Gewurtz is heavenly. But there is a key to unleashing its magic. The key is temperature. Serving this wine slightly cool unleashes unbelievable results and flavors. Most people will over chill this wine and miss its outstanding potential. Don’t do it! When at this magical point this wine opens with a heavenly lychee like bouquet. On the palate, this wine is medium bodied, is well balanced, and slightly viscous. There is nicely integrated acidity with delicious lychee and lime flavors. There is a note of spice on the back palate as well. The finish is dry, nicely extended, & refreshing. This wine might even rival the 2000 which I considered the gold standard until today. You should seek this gem out. Enjoy - Ken- Ken Hoggin, www.KensWineGuide.com, January 13, 2009.
This is the best dry Gewiirz I've ever had from Navarro. It really is bone dry and very high in acidity, two good things, but without richness, the wine would be thin. How¬ever, there's an incredible array of peach, lychee, citrus, honeysuckle and vanilla spice flavors. This is the closest to Alsace that California Gewiirz gets. Editors' Choice. —
- Steve Heimoff, Wine Enthusiast, October, 2008.
2006 Estate Bottled Gewürztraminer
Navarro has been a leading producer of CA Gewürztraminer for quite some time in my book and this offering adds to that heritage. The very pale yellow colored wine opens with an attractive floral and peach like bouquet. On the palate, this wine is light bodied, well balanced, and has noticeable, but nicely integrated acidity. The flavor profile is light lime with hints of lychee and spice. The finish is dry and nicely refreshing. For the best flavors, serve this wine cool, not cold. You will find it to be very food friendly and versatile. Pair it with cashew chicken or pecan encrusted tilapia. Enjoy - Ken- Ken Hoggin, www.KensWineGuide.com, January 4, 2009.
A lovely gewürztraminer . A vibrant, zesty wine, showing aromas of fresh flowers, lychee and grapefruit, with crisp yet succulent white peach and vanilla cream flavors that finish with an appropriately oily texture.
- Tim Fish, Wine Spectator, May 31, 2008.
A lovely gewürztraminer . Spicy and nutty, with aromas and flavors of orange blossom, white peach and honey.
- Peg Melink, Press Democrat, January 27, 2008.
This new release is very much in the dry Alsatian style that Navarro pioneered in its corner of the world. The nose has a mineral touch amid the floral notes, and the texture is lean and high-acid, with a lingering finish with floral and slightly bitter echoes. A beautiful example of the dry style.
- Jon Bonné, San Francisco Chronicle, August 10, 2007.
2005 Estate Bottled Gewürztraminer
Navarro’s 2005 Gewürztraminer is bone dry, delicate and gorgeous with the classic aromas of roses, minerals, grapefruit and litchi.
- Eric Asimov, New York Times, September 27, 2006.
Other white standouts ... Navarro Estate Gewürztraminer, a dry version with the characteristic notes of lychee and rose petals.
- Laurie Daniel, San Jose Mercury News, August 30, 2006.
2004 Estate Bottled Gewürztraminer
Exceptional. Perfect floral, spice and rose petal/gardenia aroma. Drier than most prior vintages, a classic. Do not miss. Winery only. Gold Medal Winner.
- Dan Berger’s Vintage Experiences, July 21, 2005.
Wine of the Week. An off dry, showy, spicy gewürztraminer. Has a good concentration of peach and citrus fruit. Aroma of rose petal. A lively, refreshing finish. Great pick for Thanksgiving dinner.
- Santa Rosa Press Democrat, November 9, 2005.
2003 Estate Bottled Gewürztraminer
Startlingly fresh spice character of carnation and gardenia, with hints of lychee. Drier than past vintages and probably the best ever from this Mendocino County superstar. - Dan Berger’s Vintage Experiences, August 26, 2004.
New World Gewürz tends toward an innocuous style that makes it a bit of a wallflower; Navarro gives it some gusto. Aging the wine for several months on its lees gives the wine more depth under the usual aromas of quince, grapefruit, spice, and flowers. It’s dry, not as oily-rich as many Alsatian bottlings, but still lets the Gewürztraminer grape spread its wings.
- Jim Clarke, StarChefs.com, "Wine for the Holidays", December 2004.
Dry with nice flavors of both mineral and spice. A perfect aperitif. - Sims Brannon, Swirl Wine News, January-February, 2005.
2002 Estate Bottled Gewürztraminer
This perennial fave is spicier than usual this year. It brims with fresh ginger snap and vanilla aromas, with big, big flavors of spiced apples, nutmeg and white peach. Versatile and fun. - Steve Heimoff, Wine Enthusiast, June 2004.
Very good. Light aromas of rose petal, honeysuckle, peach pit, mineral and spice; crisp clean palate; moderately rich and juicy; acidity on the finish. - San Francisco Chronicle, May 27, 2004.
A delicately beautiful wine, with aromas of grapefruit and pear that burst into intense and pleasingly oily flavors of spice, litchi nut and orange zest. A long, intense finish. A first-class Gewürztraminer. - James Laube, Wine Spectator, May 15, 2004.
Double Gold. One of the finest such wines in the state with exceptional spice and rose petal fruit, perfect balance, and a classic finish. - Dan Berger’s Vintage Experiences, August 14, 2003.
2001 Estate Bottled Gewürztraminer
Anderson Valley’s best Gewürz is dry enough for Chardonnay lovers but sufficiently exotic for more adventurous palates. Flavors of white peach, lychee and fresh-cut flowers are balanced by a steely, wet-stone finish and plenty of acidity. - Lisa Trottier, San Francisco Magazine, October 2003.
Stylish spiced aroma with delicate notes of honeysuckle and pears. A drier version than in the past, and perfectly designed for spicy Asian foods. Gold medal winner at the Riverside Wine Judging. - Dan Berger’s Vintage Experiences, May 8, 2003.
This tight, intriguing gewürz starts off with a husky perfume, ranging from musk to nutmeats to orange liqueur. Then ends on a lovely finish, with enough brisk refinement for Scottish smoked salmon. - Joshua Greene and Patrick Comiskey, Wine & Spirits, December 2002.
Graceful Gewürz, dancing on floral flavors with pirouettes of spice. Characteristics: dry, medium-bodied, no oak, high acidity. - Food & Wine Magazine’s Pocket Wine Guide.
Very, very appealing wine. I’m writing about it here is because it’s that good. Almost clear, very pale straw, with medium viscosity, suggesting Alsatian dryness. A pure, and forward litchi nut nose, with some litchi fruit and hints of earth funk. Luscious. And, the flavors don’t disappoint. Opens dry, then immediately gives way to a lovely mouth coating litchi nut sweetness. Smooth. Even with the structure and acids that keep the wine in the mouth long after you swallow, the acids behave. Long, dry, tart finish. Teeth licking. Excellent as an aperitif. Great with food. The lusciousness puts out spice fires, the size stands up to any of these dishes, and the acids keep the pallet fresh, while matching the acids in Fine Mexican cuisine. - W. Lance Hunt, www.vino.com
Exceptional - This dry version is one of the most stylish wines of its type, every year a treat. This time it's subtler, still spiced and pear-like, but with depth that makes all Thai food better. - Dan Berger's Vintage Experiences, July 25, 2002.
![[below]](/images/buttons/arrow_down.gif){kind=icon}
to facilitate fermenting at a cool 55° F, retaining Gewürztraminer's gorgeous aromas. 
![[left]](/images/buttons/arrow_left.gif){kind=icon}
The winery crew arrives at 7 AM and they are greeted by bins of cold grapes. The fruit is promptly de-stemmed ![[above]](/images/buttons/arrow_up.gif){kind=icon}
and the juice macerates with the skins for several hours. Cold juice selectively extracts floral aromatics whereas warm juice additionally extracts astringent skin phenolics.