Navarro Vineyards
Première Reserve Anderson Valley Chardonnay
Anderson Valley, North Coast, California, USA
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, 2019Not 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
Pleasant, but lacking texture and body.
Pleasant, but lacking texture and body.
Sep 4th, 2015
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, 2013My first pick for Easter wines...
My first pick for Easter wines...
Mar 31st, 2013
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, 2023Light 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, 2022Smooth balanced acidity with fruit forward finish
Smooth balanced acidity with fruit forward finish
Apr 4th, 2020