Navarro Vineyards

Première Reserve Anderson Valley Chardonnay

8.939 ratings
8.46 pro ratings
Anderson Valley, North Coast, California, USA
Chardonnay
Duck, Shellfish, Goose, Mushrooms, Manchego & Parmesan, Game, Pork, Squash & Root Vegetables, Chicken, Turkey, Cheddar & Gruyere, Meaty & Oily Fish, White Fish, Shellfish, Crab & Lobster, Cream Sauces
Top Notes For
David Shaw

A random selection from my last Fukubukuro shipment from the winery. Pale yellow, excellent clarity. Orchard fruit, melon, citrus and floral notes in nose with a hint of sulfur and funk. Good acidity, excellent food wine, floral and lemon flavors with hints of pear, tropical fruit and maybe peach pit or stone. Light to moderate level of skin tannin astringency on finish, with some lingering seed bitterness. An hour later, barrel spice emerges in the finish. Tasting notes from winery website mention barrel fermentation, barrel aging, and lees contact, resulting in nutty (almond) and creamy (creme brûlée) flavors, though for me these were present at low intensities; not everyone may experience them. Not quite my style but well made.

A random selection from my last Fukubukuro shipment from the winery. Pale yellow, excellent clarity. Orchard fruit, melon, citrus and floral notes in nose with a hint of sulfur and funk. Good acidity, excellent food wine, floral and lemon flavors with hints of pear, tropical fruit and maybe peach pit or stone. Light to moderate level of skin tannin astringency on finish, with some lingering seed bitterness. An hour later, barrel spice emerges in the finish. Tasting notes from winery website mention barrel fermentation, barrel aging, and lees contact, resulting in nutty (almond) and creamy (creme brûlée) flavors, though for me these were present at low intensities; not everyone may experience them. Not quite my style but well made.

Sep 23rd, 2019
David Shaw

Not a big Chardonnay drinker, but sometimes I get my chance: yellow, very good clarity. Candle wax, uncooked squash (which might be the oak, but with some funk as well) and floral notes in nose. Citrus flavors lemon, orange, grapefruit zest, light skin astringency, lemon zest ands mineral finish. Not sure what to make of aromas here, not unpleasant, just unexpected.

Not a big Chardonnay drinker, but sometimes I get my chance: yellow, very good clarity. Candle wax, uncooked squash (which might be the oak, but with some funk as well) and floral notes in nose. Citrus flavors lemon, orange, grapefruit zest, light skin astringency, lemon zest ands mineral finish. Not sure what to make of aromas here, not unpleasant, just unexpected.

Jul 12th, 2018
Matt Austin

Owner/Winemaker, Grosgrain Vineyards, Walla Walla, WA

8.9

Pleasant, but lacking texture and body.

Pleasant, but lacking texture and body.

Sep 4th, 2015
Matt Flick

Holding up nicely. Class of AV.

Holding up nicely. Class of AV.

Dec 20th, 2013
Jason Rzutkiewicz

Wine Blogger Jason's Wine Blog

8.4

Wine #2: Rich, showing nice lemon curd. Needs food. Aged cheese does the trick nicely...

Wine #2: Rich, showing nice lemon curd. Needs food. Aged cheese does the trick nicely...

Nov 29th, 2013
Jason Rzutkiewicz

Wine Blogger Jason's Wine Blog

8.2

My first pick for Easter wines...

My first pick for Easter wines...

Mar 31st, 2013
Erin Pooley

Owner/Winemaker Good Luck Wines

7.8

A magnum of meh

A magnum of meh

Jan 2nd, 2013
CA Haynam

Light fruit aroma, pale pale yellow and crystal clear, crisp with notes of oak and a light buttery finish.

Light fruit aroma, pale pale yellow and crystal clear, crisp with notes of oak and a light buttery finish.

Apr 15th, 2023
CA Haynam

Light floral scent, barely off clear yellow appearance, mild astringency gives way to buttery dry finish with low tannins. Delicious.

Light floral scent, barely off clear yellow appearance, mild astringency gives way to buttery dry finish with low tannins. Delicious.

May 4th, 2022
CA Haynam

Smooth balanced acidity with fruit forward finish

Smooth balanced acidity with fruit forward finish

Apr 4th, 2020