Navarro Vineyards - 2022 Pinot Noir

2022 Pinot NoirNew!
Deep End
- (750 ml) $59.00
- (1.5L Magnum) $119.00

Heat versus drought

French scientists only recently developed a method to measure the drought resistance of wine grape cultivars, finding Pinot Noir to be the most drought-tolerant and Chardonnay the least resistant. During severe dry spells, air bubbles can form in the xylem, damaging the water column and potentially killing the plant. Interestingly, drought tolerance doesn't seem to equate to heat tolerance. In early July 2024, record high temperatures of 110°F were recorded for the first time in our vineyards, and a few days later, many clusters of green berries had shriveled into black, dried-up grape nuts.

A Pinot cluster shriveled by high vineyard temperatures in early July 2024.

Sarah tasting Pinot Noir to select the cuvée for Navarro's 2023 Deep End Pinot.

Oddly enough, the Pinot family—Noir, Blanc and Gris—were the primary cultivars at Navarro with heat damage, while Chardonnay clusters remained unaffected by the extreme heat. 2022 was not as blistering hot as 2024, but it was a warm year. We selected our best 2022 lots for our Deep End Pinot Noir, and clones 777 and 667 produced the finest wines from three of our vineyard sites: Middle Ridge (42%), South Hill (31%) and Hammer's Pond (27%). After fermentation, the cuvée was aged for 16 months in French oak barrels, 40% new, adding a firm backbone to the wine. Bold black cherry and raspberry aromas lead to layered fruit with suggestions of clove, vanilla, cocoa and chanterelles. Platinum Medal winner. 94 points.

Specifications

Harvested: Sept. 5 to Oct. 7, 2022
Sugars at harvest: 24.2° Brix
Bottled: Feb. 29, 2024
Cases available: 179
Alcohol: 13.6%
Titratable acidity: 6.1 g/L
pH: 3.60

2019 Deep End Pinot Noir, Anderson Valley

“This dark red colored Pinot Noir from the "Deep End" opens with a strawberry and red raspberry bouquet with hints of red licorice and clove. On the palate, this wine is medium bodied and very nicely balanced. The flavor profile is a tasty maraschino cherry and cinnamon blend with notes of clove. I also detected hints of strawberry licorice, red plum, nutmeg, and faint oak. The finish is dry and its flavors drift away nicely. This gentle Pinot is very easy to drink and food friendly. I would pair it with grilled pork chops with cherry sauce.” —Ken Hoggins, Ken’s Wine Guide

2017 Deep End Pinot Noir, Anderson Valley

"This vintage of Deep End seems more nervy and tight than usual. It shows great balance and plenty of tasty fruit flavors at its core. It is medium bodied, offering fresh strawberry and red-cherry aromas, lively red-fruit flavors and an appetizing, crisp mouthfeel." Wine Enthusiast magazine

2016 Deep End Pinot Noir, Anderson Valley

93 points. Cellar Selection. “This wine could be the centerpiece for a great dinner due to its combination of vivid, concentrated fruit flavors and good structure. Bold black-cherry and blackberry aromas lead to layered fruit and light spice flavors backed by moderate tannins and good fruit acidity that add grip to the mouthfeel.” —Jim Gordon, Wine Enthusiast

2015 Pinot Noir, Deep End, Anderson Valley

“This dark red Pinot Noir is very nice. It opens with a pleasant cherry and mild red currant bouquet with hints of dried flowers. (mainly lavender) On the palate, this wine is on the light to medium bodied side. It is also balanced, soft and shows nice finesse. The flavor profile is a tasty red plum and mild red cherry blend with hints of strawberry rhubarb. The finish is dry and drifts away nicely. This Pinot is on the delicate side and would pair nicely with a pork tenderloin with sage.” —Ken Hoggins, Ken’s Wine Guide

2014 Deep End Blend Pinot Noir, Anderson Valley

Going off the “deep end” can be memorable, and that’s true for Navarro’s “Deep End” Pinot Noir. It is beautiful in the glass, but let the wine air for an hour to fully develop its character. Then slowly sip to maximize enjoyment of its lengthy, highly polished finish.John Vankat, Arizona Daily Sun, January 11, 2017.

2013 Deep End Blend Pinot Noir, Anderson Valley

($55), which is mushroom-y, earthy and funky – a pinot for old school fans.- Anne Valdespino, The Orange County7 Register, April 5, 2016

2011 Deep End Blend Pinot Noir, Anderson Valley

Medium-light to medium ruby; restrained, herbal cedary, slightly stemmy, black cherry aroma with hints of cinnamon and forest floor; medium to medium full body; sharp, tight, cranberry and cherry flavors with a slight tart finish; medium tannin; lingering aftertaste. Highly recommended. sNicholas Ponomareff, California Grapevine, February 2014.

2010 Deep End Blend Pinot Noir, Anderson Valley

This ruby colored Pinot Noir opens with inviting red cherry and strawberry bouquet with a hint of mild oak in the background. On the palate, this wine is medium bodied, slightly acidic and mouthwatering. The flavor profile is a very tasty black cherry-cola with notes of black raspberry. I also detected hints of strawberry licorice and black pepper and spice. The finish is dry and its fine tannins are friendly. This wine would pair well with thyme seasoned pork tenderloin. —Ken's Wine Guide

2009 Deep End Blend Pinot Noir, Anderson Valley

This slightly opaque and dark garnet colored Pinot Noir opens with a very inviting dark cherry cola bouquet. On the palate, this wine is medium bodied, nicely balanced, and savory. The flavor profile is a delicious black cherry and cola blend with hints of mild vanilla oak and a touch of plum. The finish is dry and its fine tannins are friendly and drift away nicely. This is the best Deep End Blend that I can remember and it will not last long when you share it with your friends. Pour a big glass and enjoy! - Ken Ken Hoggins, KensWineGuide.com, July 11, 2011.

2007 Deep End Blend Pinot Noir, Anderson Valley

This is a precocious wine that is very approachable now. Charming perfume of a fresh cherry pie with a hint of oak spice. Plums and berries lead the balanced attack with a perfect tug a acidity. Smooth and refined with an appealing elegance. Pick any superlative you want. Quintessential classic Anderson Valley Pinot Noir.Rusty Gaffney,MD "The Prince of Pinot", princeofpinot.com, June 2, 2011.

This ruby colored Pinot opens with an attractive spicy red cherry bouquet with hints wet earth and oak. On the palate, this wine is medium bodied, satiny, smooth, and silky. The flavor profile is a very tasty mild black cherry and slightly tart plum. The finish is dry and displays ultra fine tannins. The panel suggested pairing it with soft cheeses, like brie. Enjoy - KWGTP- Ken Hoggins, KensWineGuide.com, May 9, 2010.

100% estate showing dark plum and berry flavors with a hint of floral, mandarin and spice. Annette Hanami , The San Francisco Examiner ,May 18, 2010.

2006 Deep End Blend Pinot Noir, Anderson Valley

This bright red colored Pinot opens with a vanilla infused bouquet with notes of red cherry mixed in. On the palate, this wine is medium bodied, very nicely balanced, and approachable with tasty black cherry and raspberry flavors. The finish is dry and its fine grained tannins drift away nicely. This Pinot would pair very well with broiled salmon. Enjoy - Ken Hoggins, KensWineGuide.com, May 15, 2009.

Primarily pre-sold to wine club members. This one has the most backbone and structure and will reward patience. All the good stuff is there and worth joining the wine club to get your hands on some - Rusty Gaffney MD, www.PrinceofPinot.com, June 9, 2008.

Beautiful color and pinot texture on this wine, with rich cherry flavors and nice cedar notes underneath with some earth, mushroom, and thyme. Lots of acidity now, giving the wine the structure that promises great things to come. Will be more than $40 if you can get it, but in time it is likely to be worth every penny. Good QPR.- Good Wines Under $20, October 12, 2007

2005 Deep End Blend Pinot Noir, Anderson Valley

This wine has a lot of potential and is already drinking beautifully. High-toned cherry and cinnamon on first opening, with a dark ruby color. As it opens up notes of cedar, cocoa powder, and blackberry enter into the palate and aromas. Continued to develop and gain complexity as we drained the bottle. Wait a year and check again, but I think this one will age well and develop in interesting ways. This will be expensive if you can get it, but it is an awfully complex pinot and good Quality to Price Ratio. - Good Wines Under $20, October 12, 2007

2003 Deep End Blend Pinot Noir, Anderson Valley

94 Points- The color of this lovely Pinot sparkles like a brilliant ruby. The aromatics are full and forward with deep black cherry, leather and the subtle scent of boiled beets. It feels good in the mouth, with supple fruit flavors, good acidity and refined tannins. This is an inviting Pinot with depth, complexity and potential. - Gerald D. Boyd, winereviewonline.com

2002 Deep End Blend Pinot Noir, Anderson Valley

Very good. Aromas of brioche, plum, black cherry and strawberry; fleshy yet with silky texture; plush tannins; brimming with ripe plum, strawberry, blueberry and spice flavors. - Steve Pitcher, San Francisco Chronicle, July 8, 2004.

2001 Deep End Blend Pinot Noir, Anderson Valley

Dense and stolid, this selection of Navarro’s best lots of pinot noir is a big wine with meaty cherry flavors. The red fruit lasts beyond the warmth, past the scents of molasses and honey, to leave an impression that the wine has the staying power for age. - Wine Enthusiast, "Buying Guide", January/February 2004.

2000 Deep End Blend Pinot Noir, Anderson Valley

Gold Medal winner. Cherry and plum flavors with a hint of oak, and a graceful texture, yet a rich and full finish. - Dan Berger’s Vintage Experiences, 2002.

They call the coldest, westernmost part of the valley the deep end, and presumably this wine comes from there. It's pretty good stuff. Robust and silky, to begin with. Feels fine in the mouth. You want to swirl it around and enjoy the raspberry-cherry flavors. A bite of acidity finishes it. Fabulous with crostini and olive tapenade. - Steve Heimoff, Wine Enthusiast, Buying Guide, May 2002.