Navarro Vineyards - 2021 Chardonnay

2021 Chardonnay
Première Reserve
Anderson Valley, Mendocino
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Aiming high

Twelve years ago we replanted the Chardonnay block in front of Navarro's tasting room—providing fruit for 56% of this bottling—with a higher than usual trellis so that diminutive Babydoll sheep could remain in the vineyard during the summer, suckering and weeding, but unable to reach the leaves and fruit. In addition to an increased height, we installed multiple trellis wires that guide the growing shoots into an umbrella shape above the fruit, protecting it from direct sunlight. Another 28% of this wine was grown in the lower block of Hammer Olsen Chardonnay—our first sheep-friendly field replanted in 2007—and also in the upper block which was planted in 1996.

An attentive, patient driver is required to successfully operate a tractor with an implement removing weeds in two vine rows simultaneously. Since vines are planted about four feet apart, the implement must move in and out to avoid hitting vine trunks. We don't use herbicides in our vineyards and getting rid of weeds without them is slow and costly.

Tucking shoots in a Navarro sheep-friendly trellis; it's sometimes a stretch for our shorter workers. Although it wasn't part of our original decision, having the fruit higher off the ground and shading it with a high canopy is currently discussed in the viticulture press as a way to ameliorate the effects of global warming.

The fruit from neighboring Valley Foothills Vineyard contributes the final 16% of this cuvée. All the juice was fermented and aged in French oak barrels—25% new—for nine months. For Chardonnay, we prefer barrels from Billon Cooperage in Beaune as the cooperage is willing to air-dry the oak planks an extra year to avoid green oak flavors and focus instead on the nut and spice character that matured wood provides. Apple/lemon aromas, plump mouthfeel with toasty oak tones and a whiff of butter from the secondary fermentation. Gold Medal-winner. 91 points.

Specifications

Harvested: Sept. 29 to Oct. 1, 2021
Sugars at harvest: 23.2° Brix
Bottled: June 14 & 15, 2022
Cases produced: 1,615
Alcohol: 13.4%
Titratable acidity: 5.9 g/L
pH: 3.47

2017 Première Reserve Chardonnay

"All polished and elegant, this medium-bodied barrel-fermented wine offers vanilla and butter aromas, subtle apple and baked apple flavors and a smooth texture. It has an abundance of the baking-spice character that a lot of people love in their Chardonnay." Wine Enthusiast magazine

2016 Première Reserve Chardonnay

"This is a beautiful, elegant, lighter-styled wine in a half-bottle that shows great balance between ripeness and fresh acidity. Lemon and crisp apple aromas lead to light vanilla and butter flavors that mingle well with the fruit elements." Wine Enthusiast magazine

2015 Première Reserve Chardonnay

Flashes of buttery new oak show up in the lively aromas and richer flavors of this medium-bodied, barrel-fermented and elegant wine. It has a fine array of nutmeg, vanilla and lemon accents lifted by good acidity. - Jim Gordon, Wine Enthusiast, November 1, 2017.

Medium-light golden yellow; forward, floral, citrus, apple and stone fruit aroma with tropical notes; medium to medium-full body; crisp, lemony, pear and apple flavors that are nicely balanced and show some richness in the mouthfeel; lingering aftertaste. Very highly recommended.California Grapevine, June, 2017.

Navarro's 2015 chardonnay exhibits all the virtues of cool-climate chardonnay, notably exquisite balance. This vintage offers the rare combination of richness with structure, showing notes of lemon oil and spice, with fruit notes or pear and apple. At the price this one's a steal. A Platinum award-winner at the 2016 Sommelier Challenge International Wine Competition. Robert Whitley, September 20, 2016.

2014 Première Reserve Chardonnay

Beautiful in the glass with hints of gold embedded in yellow tones. Fruit, not oak, prevails on the palate coupled with readily apparent refinement thanks to smooth texture and flawless integration. Finishes pleasingly long.John Vankat, Arizona Daily Sun, January 11, 2017.

2013 Première Reserve Chardonnay

Light apple and Anjou pear aromas, tangy fruit flavors shaded by butter and almond, and a supple texture add up to a sleek and flavorful wine. This is balanced, medium bodied and reflects the house style of Navarro that ensures a svelte mouthfeel with no rough edges. - Jim Gordon, Wine Enthusiast, December 1, 2015.

2012 Première Reserve Chardonnay

A winner from a consistently excellent winery. A distinctive tropical fruit aroma leads to lively apple and lemon flavors. It’s balanced, complex, and lingering on the finish. Try with soft cheeses or shellfish. - Jim Gordon, Wine Enthusiast, August 1, 2013.

2010 Première Reserve Chardonnay

An ultrazesty,lemony Chardonnay, this has razor-sharp acidity that should mellow out when paired with the right foods, like seafood in a creamy sauce. - Virginie Boone, Wine Enthusiast, March 1,2013.

This white gold colored Chardonnay from Navarro opens with a lemon bouquet with a hint of grapefruit and oak. On the palate, this wine is light to medium bodied, with slightly elevated crispy acidity. The flavor profile is an impressive Bosc pear with notes of lemon, green apple and light mineral notes. The finish is dry and its acidity lingers a bit with just a touch of oak showing up in the end. This Chard is very food friendly and pretty versatile. I would serve it with mildly seasoned chicken, chorizo and shrimp paella. Enjoy – KenKen Hoggins, www.KensWineGuide.com, August 29, 2013.

Finesse-filled Chardonnay. Long and classy.- Michael Apstein, Critic's Challenge Wine Competition, 2012

2009 Première Reserve Chardonnay

racy yet rich, with apple and pear fruit, - Laurie Daniel, San Jose Mercury News, March 21,2012.

Lots of richness in this Chardonnay. Will appeal to anyone who likes the modern California style of ripe tropical fruit, buttered toast and honey flavors. Brisk acidity gives it a balanced brightness. - Steve Heimoff, Wine Enthusiast, December 1,2011.

This white gold colored Chardonnay opens with a pleasant Bosc pear bouquet with a hint of quince. On the palate, this wine is medium bodied, tangy and fruit forward. The flavor profile is a tart Bosc pear with hints of tangerine and just a touch of oak towards the end. The finish dry and its pleasant fruit flavors linger for quite some time after the wine is gone. Pair this Very Good Chard with pumpkin ravioli sauteed in a brown sage sauce. Enjoy – KenKen Hoggins, www.KensWineGuide.com, July 27, 2011.

2008 Première Reserve Chardonnay

This Chardonnay is always one of our favorites every year and it seems to fly under the radar. Shock your friends and show up with a bottle or two at your next dinner party. They will be very impressed. It is yellow colored and opens with a fragrant and attractive Bartlett pear and mild oak bouquet. On the palate, this wine is full bodied, well balanced, and creamy. The flavor profile is a delicious mild green apple with notes of mild oak with hints of mineral and green melon mixed in. The finish is dry and rather refreshing. I would serve this Chard cool and with chicken ravioli with a mushroom cream sauce. EnjoyKen Hoggins, www.KensWineGuide.com, July 7, 2010.

2007 Première Reserve Chardonnay

Aromas of pear butter, apple butter, citrus, and spice before flavors of lemon, pear, apple, filbert, and spice accented with zippy acidity before a medium-broad, truncated finish. Well put together. Harold Baer , www.haroldbaerwine.com, February 8, 2011.

Medium-bodied, with subtle citrus and sour pineapple flavors of modest proportion, ending simpler. Drink now. Tasted twice, with consistent notes. 3,027 cases made James Laube, Wine Spectator, Web Only 2010.

Absolutely spot-on cold-climate aroma of citrus and spice, with a lean midpalate, and a sweet-sour rich/tart succulence in the finish. A great wine from a stellar winery. - Dan Berger, Dan Berger's Vintage Experiences, June 11, 2009.

2006 Première Reserve Chardonnay

This white gold colored Chard from Navarro is quite impressive. It opens with a fresh lemon like bouquet with a hint of light oak and vanilla spice. On the palate, this full bodied wine is very well balanced, creamy, and savory with superb light pineapple flavors. Mixed in are notes of lemon, butter, and vanilla spice as well. The finish is dry and very pleasing. Pair this wine with orecchiette, ham, and peas in a light cream sauce. Enjoy – Ken - Ken Hoggins, www.KensWineGuide.com, December 29, 2008.

Very rich and honeyed, a powerhouse Chard oozing with pineapple jam, crème brulee, and coconut candy flavors. For all its sweet mouthfeel, the wine is dry and crisp in brilliant acidity. - Steve Heimoff, Wine Enthusiast, October, 2008.

2005 Première Reserve Chardonnay

Elegant and stylish, with fresh, vibrant citrus and green apple flavors that have a light touch of oak, which provides an extra dimension of complexity. - James Laube, Wine Spectator, December 31, 2007.

2004 Première Reserve Chardonnay

Exceptional – Subtlety and nuance are mastered here, with apple/pear fruit, just the barest hint of oak, and perfect acid structure for pairing with food. - Dan Berger, Vintage Experiences, May 11, 2006.

2003 Première Reserve Chardonnay

Grapey and light in flavor, this hints at golden delicious apple and fresh papaya. It’s simple for now, but has the balance to develop well with age. - Joshua Green, Wine & Spirits,April 2005.

2002 Première Reserve Chardonnay

A really good, interesting Chard that marches to a different beat. Clean and zingy in fresh, bright acids that bite into the palate, carrying pure flavors of lime zest, vanilla and toast, in a creamy texture. Has a vitality that is especially appealing. - Steve Heimoff, Wine Enthusiast, December 31, 2004.

A toasty, creamy oak overlay precedes the ripe fig and apricot flavors in this rich, opulent style. - James Laube, Wine Spectator, November 30, 2004.

Things step up a notch with the 2002 Chardonnay Première Reserve. This appears to be vinified from the same fruit as the Mendocino Chardonnay, but this one sports vanilla on the nose, from the judicious use of French oak, and it shows more depth on the palate. This is a first rate wine at this price. - Leonard Maran, San Francisco Spectrum, July 2004.

Underneath the buttered rum creaminess of malolactic, this follows a clean, simple line. The fruit is firm and direct, a flavor of dry white peach to fill out the creamy texture, a cool, coastal white to pour during Dungeness crab season. - Wine & Spirits, "American New Releases", April 2004.

Critics Award. Balanced, with good length. - Gerald Boyd, Wine Critics Challenge International 2004.

2001 Première Reserve Chardonnay

A beautiful wine, with perfectly ripe fruity flavors of peach, apples and guava that are wrapped in crisp, clean acids. Oak adds a luscious overlay of cream, buttered toast, vanilla and woody spices. The finish is long and compelling. A great value. - Editor’s Choice, Wine Enthusiast, "Buying Guide", December 2003.

Navarro has a trick of growing wines in the Anderson Valley that mirror the whites of Alsace. It's a character most apparent in their pinot gris, but it turns up in their other whites as well, like this chardonnay, for which my notes read: “Smells Alsace.” Is it the autumnal feel of the wine, with scents of pale mushroom flesh and roasted apples? Is it the relatively light weight (for California), yet fulsome flavor? The wine is sturdy, broad and rich, with oak playing a background role to structure it, letting the earth and lemon zest flavors take precedence in the finish. Age it to let the complexities evolve, or enjoy it now with halibut in parchment with preserved lemon. - Wine & Spirits, "The Year’s 10 Best Chardonnays", April 2003.

Cleanly made, but sitting in its oak right now, showing mostly caramel and sweet spice. Give this a year or two to let the fruit emerge. - Wine & Spirits, "American New Releases", December 2003.