Spain — wine

Navarra DO

Navarra DO occupies the foothills of the Pyrenées in northern Spain, historically famous for rosado (rosé) wine from Garnacha, and increasingly respected for Tempranillo reds, international varieties (Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Chardonnay), and innovative blends. The denomination's five sub-zones span from the cool, Atlantic-influenced Baja Montaña in the north to the warm, continental Ribera Baja in the south. Navarra was the first Spanish denomination to produce modern, dry Chardonnay with international intent, and remains a laboratory for Spanish wine innovation.

Year Rating Notes
2022 Balanced conditions across all five sub-zones produced wines of good structure and aromatic freshness; the Baja Montaña showed the finest results for cool-climate varieties
2021 A cool, fresh vintage for Navarra — Pyrenéan influences extended into summer, preserving acidity in both rosado and reds; Tempranillo showed remarkable elegance
2020 Good vintage across the denomination; Garnacha rosado showed vibrant strawberry and herb character; reds had concentration with approachable tannins
2019 Classic Navarra vintage with ripe fruit expression in reds and characteristic freshness in rosado from the cooler northern sub-zones