Navarro Vineyards - 2023 Edelzwicker

2023 Edelzwicker
Anderson Valley, Mendocino
- (750 ml) $21.00

Historic precedent

The term Edelzwicker, which means noble blend in English, originated in Alsace in 1644 to describe a blend of the noble grape varieties: Gewürztraminer, Riesling, and Pinot Gris. In the 19th century, this blend was considered better than each grape variety on its own. However, in more recent times, the term has been used for a mix of any grapes permitted in Alsace, including those from high-yielding vines like Auxerrois, Sylvaner, Chasselas and Pinot Blanc. We aim to create a delicious Edelzwicker wine every year, but it's only when all three noble grape varieties produce a good crop that we can truly understand why the traditional blend was once seen as superior.

Spreading compost in our Campsite Riesling vineyard. All of the grape skins, stems and seeds that we generate in our wine production are mixed with animal waste and composted for a season.

Oak barrels and ovals must be thoroughly cleaned before and after use. The only way to clean an oval is to get inside and scrub it down. Ulises has cleaned the oval and is exiting on his way to clean the next one.

In 2023, we had 11 casks of Gewürztraminer, Riesling and Pinot Gris to choose from. After an initial tasting of Pinot Gris and Riesling, we honed in on a blend dominated by Pinot Gris. Then we added Gewürztraminer to the Pinot Gris-Riesling mix and agreed that the best blend contained 26% Gewürztraminer, which balanced the flavors well and offered notes of tropical fruit, citrus, pear and apple with a lingering fruity finish. The blend is a longtime favorite in Navarro's tasting room. Double Gold Medal winner.

Specifications

Harvested: Sept. 23 to Oct. 20, 2023
Sugars at harvest: 23.0° Brix
Bottled: May 2, 2024
Cases produced: 843
Alcohol: 13.4%
Residual sugars: 1.5%
Titratable acidity: 7.1 g/L
pH: 3.14

2018 Edelzwicker

"The word Edelzwicker translates to “Noble Blend” and though Navarro markets this wine as a fun, fruity quaffer, it certainly is not without nobility. A mix of the best of Alsace varieties, it’s a wine that Jim Klein and his team obviously pay as much attention to as everything else that they make. Racy acidity is up to the off dry profile, making for a tasty mix of stone fruit, lychee and spice that finishes in long, come back and see me soon fashion. Love it!" WineReveiewOnline.com

2015 Edelzwicker

This engaging blend of Pinot Gris, Riesling, Muscat and Gewurztraminer is one of Navarro’s most popular wines. Forward fruit conveys a hint of sweetness that pairs wonderfully well with somewhat spicy dishes that are so common in Arizona.John Vankat, Arizona Daily Sun, January 11, 2017.

2014 Edelzwicker

Aromas of honeysuckle, honey and ripe peach are bright and enticing in this slightly sweet, smooth fruit bowl of a wine. Medium body and mild acidity make it easy to drink. The sweetness and fruitiness should pair nicely with cheeses and spicy foods.- Jim Gordon, Wine Enthusiast, December 1, 2015.

2013 Edelzwicker

This almost clear colored Edelzwicker is a very nice value wine. It opens up with a pleasant mild pineapple and lychee like bouquet. On the palate, this wine is mildly sweet, slightly acidic and mouthwatering. The flavor profile is a tasty ripe pineapple with notes of minerality, lychee and orange. The finish is semi-sweet and its ripe flavors linger nicely. This wine would pair well with orange Chinese chicken. Ken Hoggins, KensWineGuide.com, January 23, 2015.

13.4 percent alcohol, $15. **** A gorgeous, aromatic white with fleshy fruit and a lush texture. Layered flavors of honeysuckle, white peach and a hint of mineral. Lingering finish. Striking. .PEG MELNIK, THE PRESS DEMOCRAT, February,4 2014.

2012 Edelzwicker

Another such wine with a dramatic history is Navarro’s superb Edelzwicker, which is aged in old oak ovals to give it added depth. At $15, it’s one of the wine world’s greatest white wine bargains. .Dan Berger, Vintage Experiences, July 18, 2013.

2011 Edelzwicker

This very pale yellow color white blend is always very good and a great deal. It opens with an inviting and gentle peach bouquet. On the palate this wine is light bodied, balanced and crisp. The flavor profile is a tangerine and peach blend with a touch of mineralty mixed in. The finish is semi-dry and pleasantly refreshing. This wine is a nice poolside wine to enjoy with coconut shrimp. Enjoy Ken Hoggins, KensWineGuide.com, August 16, 2012.

A lovely white with aromas and flavors of peach, apricot and mineral. Balanced. Bright and lively. Peg Melnik, Press Democrat, July 2, 2012.

2010 Edelzwicker

This white blend from Navarro is an absolute steal at $13! It is pale yellow colored and opens with a fragrant peach and lychee bouquet. On the palate, this wine is medium bodied, nicely balanced, and slightly sweet. The flavor profile is a very tasty peach and ripe lychee blend with a hint of minerality and apricot. The finish is semi-dry and drifts away nicely. This white blend is a terrific combination and would be a very nice complement to linguine with a white clam sauce or chicken lo-mein. Enjoy - Ken Hoggins, KensWineGuide.com, December 1, 2011.

Bargain of the Week. This blend of Gewurz and Riesling is so floral you’ll be ready for a sweet wine, but its 1.5% r.s. keeps the flavors ahead of the texture,making for a wine ideal for Thai food.Dan Berger, Vintage Experiences, Aug. 08, 2011.

2009 Edelzwicker

Spiced floral fruit (from a Gewurztraminer base) with stone fruit and a trace of sweetness, allowing it to pair with all sorts of highly spiced foods.Dan Berger, Vintage Experiences, Aug. 12, 2010.

2008 Edelzwicker

An unusual offering, the 2008 Edelzwicker, Anderson Valley, is a blend of Gewürztraminer, Riesling, and Pinot Gris with just a dollop (2%) of Muscat. A nose of floral, spice, crisp apple, and Bosc pear continues onto the palate where the fruit is first and flavors have a slight sweetness well balanced with acidity. It finishes medium-broad and medium-long. Well put together, this would make an almost perfect wine for a warm afternoon on the deck or for a picnic or to pair with spicy food. Very Tasty. BEST BUY. Harold Baer, www.haroldbaerwine.com, February 8, 2011.

Rose petal, lychee and peach notes jump out of the glass, with a whiff of petrol giving way to stone fruit and apple flavors. Nicely spicy and very juicy. Gewürztraminer, Riesling, Pinot Gris and Muscat. Drink now. 1,596 cases made Maryann Worobiec, Wine Spectator, Web Only 2010.

This pale yellow colored white blend is very appealing and a heck of deal. In addition, it would be a perfect wine for Thanksgiving. This wine opens with

This is a blend of Gewürztraminer Riesling and Pinot Gris. This wine is deliciously balanced and, at this price, a super restaurant by the glass sipper. It's very crisp and fruity-spicy, and finishes a little sweet in honey vanilla. Nice by itself, or with Asian or Indian food. Best Buy.- Steve Heimoff, Wine Enthusiast, November 15, 2008.

a light lychee like bouquet. On the palate, this wine is medium bodied, balanced, and shows gentle acidity. The flavor profile is a tasty Clementine and lychee blend with a hint of lime and spice. The finish is dry and nicely refreshing. This is a very enjoyable quaffing wine that will be a crowd pleaser. It will pair well with your turkey or even cashew chicken Ken Hoggins, Kenswineguide.com, November 12, 2009.

2007 Edelzwicker

2006 Edelzwicker

A lovely wine for the money, made from riesling, gewürztraminer, and pinot gris grapes. Enticing flower aromas, with a palate of litchi and lime. Our favorite wine to have with Thanksgiving leftovers, or for any holiday lunch, don't be surprised when this turns up on my holiday wine picks this year. Excellent QPR - Good Wines Under $20, Friday, October 12, 2007.

Navarro's latest Alsatian style blend of Riesling, Gewürztraminer and Pinot Gris has a nice dose of cinnamon on the nose in addition to the blossomy floral notes. There's an edgy crispness and just a hint of sugar on a modest finish. Vibrant and very food-friendly. - Jon Bonné, San Francisco Chronicle, August 10, 2007.

2002 Edelzwicker

Bargain of the Week. A blend of Gewürztraminer and Riesling, with an aroma that’s startlingly fresh and spicy. Perfectly balanced wine to match with Asian foods or to sip as an aperitif. A great value. - Dan Berger’s Vintage Experiences, August 14, 2003.

2001 Edelzwicker

Wine of the Month. Upon tasting this exceedingly well-done selection from Navarro, everyone on wine staff looked at each other and smiled... You'll smile too when you taste this scrumptious production that's simply the perfect call as our November "Wine-of-the-Month!" It leads off with a highly aromatic nose of cinnamon stick, white peach and melon followed by an exquisitely balanced palate of assorted stone fruits; including nectarine and comice pear, along with significant strands of golden delicious apple, quince and crème brûlée. Nuances of litchi, lemon zest and Asian star fruit and accented wonderfully by the wine's underpinnings of slate, zesty acidity and rocky minerality. In short, this wine is a tour de force endeavor that showcases a harmonious marriage of two grape varietals ideally suited for each other. - Hi-Time Wine Cellars, November 2002.

2000 Edelzwicker

Gewürz-like, with nice spiciness. Off-dry finish. Best Buy. - Laurie Daniel, San Jose Mercury News, August 29, 2001.