Navarro Vineyards - 2021 Pinot Blanc

2021 Pinot Blanc
Mendocino
- (750 ml) Sold Out!

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Frosty surprise

This is Navarro's tenth Pinot Blanc vintage and given the speed with which recent vintages have sold, we had hoped to substantially increase our production in 2021. Unfortunately, frosty weather resulted in one of Mendocino County's most skimpy grape harvests in recent memory; all of our 2021 wines are in short supply. Rivino Vineyards, located south of Ukiah, historically has provided the lion's share of our Pinot Blanc grapes.

Night harvesting Campsite vineyard by headlamp.

Night harvesting Campsite vineyard. Wine grape skins contain astringent phenolics and we want to avoid them in white wine. Phenolic extraction is a function of the length of time the skins macerate with the juice and the temperature of the must. The longer the maceration time and the warmer the must, the more extraction will occur. Consequently, we separate the juice from the skins quickly and harvest at night when the grapes are cold.

Their grapes remain the largest component in this bottling—but even though we had agreed to purchase double the acreage in 2021, heavy spring frosts reduced their crop to about a third of normal. While Navarro's own Pinot Blanc vines approached full maturity in 2021 they produced less than the prior vintage. Consequently, this is one of our smallest bottlings of this varietal to date. The cold-settled juice from the Ukiah fruit was cool-fermented in stainless steel then racked to seasoned French oak puncheons to age for three months. The estate-grown Pinot Blanc grapes were harvested fully ripe at 23.4° Brix; after pressing and cold-settling, the clear juice was fermented and aged in a French oak oval sur lie for four months prior to blending with the other lots. Similar to prior vintages we added a bit of Chardonnay to improve body and lengthen the finish. An herbal springtime bouquet whispers green apple and honeydew with a bright, minerally finish. Gold medal winner.

Night harvesting Campsite vineyard into macro bins.

Specifications

Harvested: Sept. 6 to 16, 2021
Sugars at harvest: 23.0° Brix
Bottled: Feb. 17, 2022
Cases produced: 773
Alcohol: 12.8%
Titratable acidity: 7.1 g/L
pH: 3.31

2022 Pinot Blanc, Anderson Valley

94 Points. “Here’s another variety that should be more widely planted in California – in select spots, of course. This comes from Anderson Valley, home of an annual Alsatian Festival, so it seems a natural, but I believe Navarro is the only winery there that is producing a varietally designated bottling. In the hands of Navarro’s winemaking team, it’s a can’t miss proposition. I’m guessing a tip or to has been picked up from the Alsace winemakers that visit each year, as this is spot on. A true delight!” —Rich Cook, Wine Review Online

“Fresh and expressive with appealing pear and peach fruit as well as some citrus freshness. Lovely energy here with a delicate spiciness as well as some floral fruit. Primary and delicious. 91/100” —Jamie Goode, WineAnorak.com

2021 Pinot Blanc, Mendocino

92 points. “A smooth texture and lively honeydew melon and spiced apple flavors give this tempting, medium- bodied wine a generous fruitiness along with good balance. Light butter and baguette nuances develop with more sipping.” —Jim Gordon, Wine Enthusiast

2020 Pinot Blanc, Mendocino

90 points. “This lively, well-balanced and citrus-scented wine rides on good acidity, a rather light body and plenty of energizing lemon and lime flavors subtly accented by toasted nuts.” —Jim Gordon, Wine Enthusiast

2019 Pinot Blanc, Mendocino

92 points. “This very pale straw-colored Pinot Blanc from Navarro opens with a papaya and lemon verbena bouquet with hints lychee and bee’s wax mixed in as well. On the palate, this wine is medium bodied with plus acidity and has a lush mouthfeel. The flavor profile is a gentle papaya and Bosc pear blend with notes of clover honey. We also detected hints of apricot, almond and tangerine. The finish is dry and refreshing. The Panel suggested pairing this Pinot Blanc with a scallop and pasta dish with an orange cream sauce, fettuccini alfredo, or pan-fried tilapia. Enjoy.” —Ken’s Wine Guide, October 12, 2020

2015 Pinot Blanc

The Navarro Vineyards 2015 Mendocino County Pinot Blanc won Best of Show White as well as Best of Mendocino County. The dry white wine from the well-known Anderson Valley producer is popular in the Alsace region of eastern France, and Navarro specializes in aromatic, Alsatian varietals. “It is a wine meant to be consumed young and fresh,” said Deborah Cahn, owner of Navarro Vineyards. The judges called the aromatic wine “floral and pretty” with a nose that “follows into the palate.> DIANE PETERSON, THE PRESS DEMOCRAT, April 15, 2016.

2014 Pinot Blanc

“Exceptional” “2014 Navarro Pinot Blanc, Mendocino County ($14): Striking aroma of minerals, light peach, and a trace of blossoms lead to a superb mid-palate—dramatic testament to this rare grape’s world-class status. From a fine vineyard near Ukiah. One of the top white wine values in the world! To order: 800-537-9463. Note: An entire case is $149, or just over $12 a bottle, an amazing bargain! Tasted double-blind.” Dave Ruiz> Dan Berger, Dan Berger's Vintage Experiences, April 9, 2015.

2013 Pinot Blanc

This pale straw colored Pinot Blanc is a steal at $15! It opens with an attractive mild peach bouquet with a hint of tangerine and wet stone. On the palate, this wine is medium bodied, slightly acidic and mouthwatering. The flavor profile is a very tasty green apple with notes of nicely integrated minerality and hints of Anjou pear and mandarin orange. The finish is dry and its flavors and acidity last for quite some time after the wine is gone. This Pinot Blanc would pair well with grilled halibut. Enjoy – Ken (Winery Direct)> Ken Hoggins, www.KensWineGuide.com, May 10, 2014.

2012 Pinot Blanc

This is Navarro's first release of Pinot Blanc. Wow, they are off to a really good start. It is almost clear colored and opens with a mild pear bouquet with a hint of vanilla. On the palate, this wine is medium bodied, slightly acidic and mouthwatering. The flavor profile is a tasty green apple with notes of minerality and Anjou pear. The finish is dry and its flavors linger for quite some time. I would pair this very good wine with Emeril's crab cakes. Enjoy - Kenb> Ken Hoggins, www.KensWineGuide.com, August 11, 2013.