The 2009 Coleccion 125 Vendimia Tardia, a late-harvest sweet wine produced with Moscatel grapes, is quite elegant and restrained, with shy aromas of honey, pollen, dried apricots and hints of lanolin that reminded me of botrytized grapes but with some fresh, balsamic notes of bay leaf and warm custard. It is sweet, fresh and persistent, with a volatile hint and some bitter notes toward the finish. A superb barrel-fermented, late-harvest Moscatel in an elegant style. Drink now-2018.
There are documents dating from the 17th century linking the name Chivite to Navarra wine. Today the winery owns 457 hectares of vineyards in different locations within Navarra and produces a whole range of wines, including the popular Gran Feudo line, which is now a separate company. They also own one of the first single vineyard appellations, Arinzano. The wines are quite classic and nicely-crafted and predominantly use Tempranillo and French grapes, as the Garnacha is destined primarily for rose wines.
Importer: Specialty Cellars, Ciudad: Santa Fe Springs, CA; tel. (562) 630-6630; www.specialtycellars.com