• 2020 Muscat Blanc
    Estate Bottled (Dry)
    Anderson Valley, Mendocino
    • (750 ml) Sold Out!
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When we planted our first vineyards in 1975, we planted a few rows of Muscat Blanc à Petits Grains on the advice of a Napa Valley vintner in case our Gewürztraminer grapes weren't aromatic enough. Gewürz grapes grown in Philo are quite aromatic so we never used these Muscat grapes in winemaking—but we sure enjoyed nibbling on the grapes and eating homemade Muscat pie. In 1990 we planted two acres of Muscat and in 1994 made our first wine from the grapes. The wine was moderately sweet and although we loved the aromas and flavors, we personally drink a lot more dry wine than sweet so in subsequent vintages the wine was fermented dry—this bottling is Navarro's 25th dry Muscat. Of all the grapes we grow, Muscat is the most difficult to press. The juice doesn't separate easily from the pulp and when pressed fast or hard, the slippery pulp clogs up the drainage openings creating a mess. Multiple press cycles increase the amount of undesirable skin phenolics picked up by the juice.
Jim sampling Muscat. [below] The grape's specs can be a reassuring aid, but tasting grapes in the vineyard is by far the best way to determine ripeness and when to harvest.

[above] Christopher with a few of Navarro's Gold Medals. This 2020 Muscat has earned several Gold Medals and was recently ranked as the best dry white wine in the entire competition. Perhaps because of its floral aromatics, many expect a Muscat wine to be sweet. Navarro's is dry and flavorful with good acidity.

The solution we found was filling the press only half full and choosing a long, slow press cycle. After cold-settling the juice for three days, the clear juice was racked to a French oak oval to ferment and age sur lie for seven months. The wine displays a floral bouquet, orange-like flavors and a dry, crisp finish. Gold Medal winner. Best of Show.

Specifications
  • Harvested: Sept. 10, 2020
  • Sugars at harvest: 23.0° Brix
  • Bottled: May 7, 2021
  • Cases produced: 266
  • Alcohol: 13.6 %
  • Titratable acidity: 6.1 g/L
  • pH: 3.30