Four centuries of winemaking in Navarra
French influence, mountainous ruggedness
Building on a singular winemaking heritage while remaining fiercely independent and innovative, Chivite has long been making benchmark wines in Navarra. Library vintages, brought for a session at Decanter’s tasting suite, showcased their enduring appeal and strength of character.
It’s not often that one gets to experience lived history; even less often that such history comes in the form of outstanding, long-aged wines that capture the essence of both a singular estate and of the DO that, not without irony (more on that below), it helped to found.
This was precisely what attendees at Chivite’s event at Decanter’s headquarters got to experience, leaving with both a sense of wonder and the realisation that these are true – often underrated – classics.
PHOTOS: LOLA GARCIA PHOTOGRAPHY (event photos) & Chivite (all other photos)
Published Monday 27th July 2026
It’s important to understand how these classics came to be: a lesson in both Navarra and Chivite’s history is required to fully appreciate the character and singularity of the estate’s wines.
The Kingdom of Navarre, cradled by the Pyrenees and the Bay of Biscay, straddled Spanish and French domination for centuries. The enduring, deep-rooted French influence became starkly apparent when, following phylloxera's decimation of French vineyards in the late 19th century, French producers sought refuge and supply on Spanish soils. This catalysed the consolidation of Rioja, but also the establishment of Navarra as a stronghold of French varieties abroad.
The so-called international Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Syrah and Merlot therefore found a new home in Navarra’s mountainous terrain, yielding expressions that stand out for their singular character, structure and longevity.
Character, structure and longevity are indeed the fundamental pillars upon which Chivite’s wines are built – all of which were on display at the masterclass held at Decanter’s Tasting Suite in June 2026. The line-up tasted at the event took attendees on a journey through the history and landscape of Chivite’s Finca Legardeta, and was headlined by jaw-dropping aged examples of its Colección 125 Rosado and Blanco.
History and evolution
But the session – and Chivite’s current focus – was not just about looking at a storied, gilded past; it was also about understanding its ongoing evolution and vision for the future. An ever-deeper understanding of terroir and of the changing potential of each grape variety – not least in the face of climate change – are behind important changes to Finca Legardeta’s make-up of vineyards. Merlot is giving way to more Garnacha, and higher altitude plots are increasingly favoured for the flagship bottlings.
Leading the charge is David González who, having joined Chivite as technical director and head winemaker in 2023, has brought a wealth of knowledge, experience working in leading Spanish estates and a broad perspective of both the Spanish and international context. He is known for his deep relationships with growers and his role in saving old, forgotten vineyards in Rioja, where he is also an associate professor at the University of La Rioja’s oenology programme.
His task at Chivite is to leverage his contemporary, terroir-first mindset to shape the brand’s next chapter, while remaining faithful to its identity and, crucially, to the distinct – and classically authentic – expression of Navarra that Chivite’s wines capture in each bottle.
Las Fincas Rosado, Vino de la Tierra 3 Riberas 2025
A gorgeous rosé, light in colour but full of structure and poise. With a firm acid backbone, it fills the palate at once with generosity and verve. Sweet cherry and wild strawberry are outlined by lively clementine and orange zest. Crunchy apple and white peach fill the core. Lingers with vibrant, lively intensity. Fresh, appealing and subtly complex.
Alcohol 13% | Drink 2026-2029
Tasting Notes
Finca Legardeta Chardonnay, Navarra 2024
Alluring nose of ripe white orchard fruit, crunchy pear, white peach and pineapple with a subtle rim of toasted almonds and cooked quince. The palate follows with herbal levity and poise. Camomile, linden and lime zest lift the fruity core while a subtle oiliness coats the mid-palate. Finishes with a tingling, spicy finish.
Alc 13.5% | Drink 2026-2029
Finca Legardeta Tinto 2024, Navarra 2024
A bright, balanced blend of Syrah, Garnacha and Tempranillo, aged for 12 months in French oak barrels. Crunchy cherry, strawberry and plum, supported by lively acid and zesty tannins are framed by subtle yet lively spicy notes of white and black pepper. Deft integration of wood, bringing all elements together without loss of drinkability. An elevated everyday drinker.
Alc 14% | Drink 2026-2029
Colección 125 Gran Vino Tinto, Navarra 2023
Fragrant notes of violets, dried rose petals and poached plum prelude a frank palate, deep but lively, with a beautiful tannic frame dusted with cardamom, white pepper and sweet liquorice. Fresh and fine blackberry, redcurrant, blackcurrant and mulberry fruit on a moreish bed of olive tapenade.
Alc 14% | Drink 2026-2032
Colección 125 Gran Vino Rosado, Navarra 2006
Showing outstanding development, this rosé is equally vibrant, deep and complex, adding nutty complexity to the persistent fruit liveliness. Rose petals, acacia and almond blossom hover over cranberry, pomegranate, white peach and red apple with a thin veil of white pepper, cardamom and nutmeg. Long finish, spicy and deep with lingering notes of fresh walnuts, orange zest and aniseed.
Alc 13.5% | Drink 2026-2030
Colección 125 Gran Vino Rosado, Vino de la Tierra 3 Riberas 2023
Intensely perfumed, this aged rosé, fermented and aged for 12 months in French oak, jumps from the glass with expressive liquorice, sandalwood and dried flowers. The palate is structured and generous, with moreish cherry pie, plum sorbet and meaty almonds. Long finish of cardamom and nutmeg with a twist of blood orange. A benchmark rosé.
Alc 13.5% | Drink 2026-2040
Colección 125 Gran Vino Blanco, Navarra 2004
An expressive, truly mountainous Chardonnay that jumps from the glass with opulent pineapple, mango and papaya. The palate follows with surprising, delightful energy. The fruit core, lined with a moreish layer of beeswax and honey, has a youthful crunchy bite. The finish shows the success of this wine's development with expressive apricot, loquat and hay.
Alc 14% | Drink 2026-2032
Colección 125 Gran Vino Blanco, Vino de la Tierra 3 Riberas 2023
Moreish unctuosity is balanced by vivid acid and zesty liveliness. Ripe pineapple, pear and lemon peel are tightly woven in the compact palate, that expands on the finish. Perfumed notes of magnolia, vanilla and apple blossom frame the fruit core.
Alc 14% | Drink 2026-2036
Colección 125 Gran Vino Vendimia Tardía, Navarra 2023
Jasmine, beeswax and magnolia lift the peach, apricot, marmalade and quince fruit. Fluid yet assertive acid supports the palate and balances the sweetness effortlessly. A delightful, lively citrus grip adds energy and length. A very approachable, refreshing wine.
Alc 14.5% | Drink 2026-2030
Discover more: chivite.com
Chivite
One estate, distinct plots
Working only with estate-grown fruit, Chivite sources its raw material from Finca Legardeta’s 106ha of vineyards, surrounded by hills and woods and scattered across the property’s total 600ha.
The estate’s flagship range, Colección 125, hones in on Legardeta’s best plots to produce ageworthy wines that are among Navarra’s best.
Chivite continues to blend tradition and innovation four centuries on. After tasting the two-decades-old library jewels brought to London by the Chivite team, one can only hope to repeat the experience 20 years from now.
IN PARTNERSHIP WITH
David González, Chivite technical director and head winemaker
Ines Salpico Decanter regional editor for Spain, Portugal and South America and Chivite senior export manager, Patrice Lesclaux