Two half bottle souvenirs from Point Reyes

O

Oswaldo Costa

Oswaldo Costa
2005 Navarro Pinot Noir Anderson Vally "Méthode à l'Ancienne" 13.8%
Robust jammy blackberry with lots of vanilla. No hint of PN aromas as I know them. Peppery but smooth, rich fruit, balanced with acid at first, then segues into a long, acidic finish that feels separate. Vanilla less present in the taste and not jammy or hot, after all, but too different from PN as I know it to value the differences, or even find them acceptable, as a matter of local expression. Given all that, not sure what they mean by Méthode à l'Ancienne.

1999 Point Reyes Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon Quail Hill Vineyards, Marin County 13.5%
Interesting aromas of eucalyptus and sage. Excellent balance, decent body, quite tasty, and with several years still ahead of it. Only gripe would be a relatively short finish. Went well with food. Would have happily downed this at Osteria Stellina in Point Reyes instead of the regular turbo stuff. Found at Cowgirl Creamery for $19.95, a humble price for a wine this age, probably reflecting its unfashionable modesty.
 
originally posted by Oswaldo Costa:
Two half bottle souvenirs from Point Reyes2005 Navarro Pinot Noir Anderson Vally "Méthode à l'Ancienne" 13.8%
Robust jammy blackberry with lots of vanilla. No hint of PN aromas as I know them. Peppery but smooth, rich fruit, balanced with acid at first, then segues into a long, acidic finish that feels separate. Vanilla less present in the taste and not jammy or hot, after all, but too different from PN as I know it to value the differences, or even find them acceptable, as a matter of local expression. Given all that, not sure what they mean by Méthode à l'Ancienne.
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2005 was an abnormally hot year in the Anderson Valley, so I fear that your wine bears the imprint of the year. That being said, I usually find the cuvée normale more Pinotish (and more appealing) than the l'Ancienne or the "Deep End Blend." BTW, I credit the Navarro PN, consumed at Café Panisse in the late '80s, with fueling Jean's interest in Pinot Noir and giving me license to pursue the wines of Burgundy.

Mark Lipton
 
originally posted by MLipton:
originally posted by Oswaldo Costa:
Two half bottle souvenirs from Point Reyes2005 Navarro Pinot Noir Anderson Vally "Méthode à l'Ancienne" 13.8%
Robust jammy blackberry with lots of vanilla. No hint of PN aromas as I know them. Peppery but smooth, rich fruit, balanced with acid at first, then segues into a long, acidic finish that feels separate. Vanilla less present in the taste and not jammy or hot, after all, but too different from PN as I know it to value the differences, or even find them acceptable, as a matter of local expression. Given all that, not sure what they mean by Méthode à l'Ancienne.
Click to expand...

2005 was an abnormally hot year in the Anderson Valley, so I fear that your wine bears the imprint of the year. That being said, I usually find the cuvée normale more Pinotish (and more appealing) than the l'Ancienne or the "Deep End Blend." BTW, I credit the Navarro PN, consumed at Café Panisse in the late '80s, with fueling Jean's interest in Pinot Noir and giving me license to pursue the wines of Burgundy.

Mark Lipton
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I agree with Mark. For me Navarro's low end pinot is their best. But my absolute favorites from the winery remain their Cluster Select Late Harvest Wines and their pinot noir grape juice (which reminds me, I need to order more of that).
 
Jay,
If you have a chance, try the dry Muscat.
I get a chance to try a lot of Navarro wines, including the sweeties, and this one is really impressive.
Best, Jim
 
originally posted by Florida Jim:
Jay,
If you have a chance, try the dry Muscat.
I get a chance to try a lot of Navarro wines, including the sweeties, and this one is really impressive.
Best, Jim
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I've only had it once and I remember liking it but not enough to buy any. Might just be that at the time I was buying Muller Catoir for my Muskateller fix. Which means that it was at least 8 years ago. Might be time to give it another try.
 
Florida Jim has discovered my favorite wine from Navarro. Year after year never not slurpable. Reminds me I drank My last one a couple of weeks ago, have to order a case.
 
originally posted by Lou Kessler:
Dry MuscatFlorida Jim has discovered my favorite wine from Navarro. Year after year never not slurpable. Reminds me I drank My last one a couple of weeks ago, have to order a case.
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They're on to a new vintage, Lou, the '09. Anyone had that one yet?

Mark Lipton
 
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