Our 2021 Anderson Valley Pinot Noir is a cuvée produced primarily from two vineyard sites plus a smattering of barrels from several other vineyard lots. The largest component—45% of this cuvée—was produced from grapes grown in the Marking Corral. This site is Navarro's highest elevation vineyard where the ocean breezes keep the vines cool; consequently this is our last Pinot Noir vineyard to ripen. As a possible contender for our Méthode à l'Ancienne and Deep End bottlings, this lot was aged for 10 months in French oak barrels, about 33% new. The flavor profile is reminiscent of red cherry with vanilla and Asian spices from the new barrels with intense flavors from the slow-ripening crop tempered by ocean breezes.
Navarro's 2021 harvest crew after they had harvested the Winery block at night.
Harvesting Winery block Pinot Noir 2021. The tractor has a light tower providing enough light so that we can harvest four rows at a time with three pickers per row.
Situated about 100 feet lower than the Marking Corral, the Garden Spot is more protected from the wind; of the three upper vineyard sites, it is the first to ripen. The Garden Spot wine—25% of this cuvée—was aged in French oak barrels, about 25% new; the flavor profile is also red cherry-like with an enticing plum and clove quality. This vintage is the second in a row where the Pinot Noir harvest was light; we could only produce about a third of our normal production and unfortunately the wine will probably sell out quickly. Double Gold Medal-winner. 95 points.
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Navarro's 2021 harvest crew after they had harvested the Winery block at night.
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The tractor has a light tower providing enough light so that we can harvest four rows at a time with three pickers per row. 