Goldeneye Gowan Creek Vineyard Pinot Noir 2006

Gowan Creek is the home to our new winery and offers a perfect mid-valley winegrowing location that combines warmer Anderson Valley elements with coastal fog and cooling influences from the northern end of the valley. As a result, this wine is a classic expression of Pinot Noir, with signature aromatics, lush extraction and rich texture. The nose displays the wild blueberry and blackberry layers that have come to define Gowan Creek, supported by notes of loganberry, char, black pepper and dried meats. On the palate, the attack is immense, the tannins long and the acidity persistent, all combining to create a wine with sumptuous, dark-fruit-driven complexity.

In 2006 the weather cooperated — in fact, it was ideal. Temperatures remained mild, allowing us to handpick each block based on ripeness and flavors, and extending the harvest over seven weeks, commencing at Confluence Vineyard on September 7 and culminating with The Narrows Vineyard on October 28. Winemaker Zach Rasmuson describes the fruit quality from the 2006 vintage as impressive: "the wines are full, well-extracted, and tasty."