Winemaker Notes
Critical Acclaim
All VintagesThis wine is full bodied, dark and brooding— in a good way. It has concentrated flavors of black fruit and ripe red berry as well as attractive oak accents of cinnamon and clove. Fine-grained tannins lend ample support and structure.
The 2016 Pinot Noir (Anderson Valley) is a very pretty appellation-level wine. Bright floral notes, kirsch, mint and hard candy give the 2016 tons of character as well as complexity. Pliant and succulent, with terrific persistence, the 2016 is an absolute joy. Drink it over the next handful of years, give or take. Drinking window from 2020 - 2028.
The 2016 Pinot Noir Anderson Valley sports a medium ruby color to go with a classic Anderson Valley bouquet of ripe cherries, dried blueberries, forest floor, and dried flowers. It's silky, seamless, and elegant on the palate, with a terrific sense of elegance and purity. Drink it over the coming 6-7 years.
Quietly complex if a little slow to expand on the nose with a mix of red cherries and strawberries infused with subtle notes of dusty soil, this wine surprises a bit by being bigger and richer once in the mouth and musters a far more convincing fruity presence than its slightly introverted aromas predict. While it finishes with enough tannin to commend additional bottle time, it is not too astringent to warn off early drinking, but, that said, its inklings of layering to come are in and of themselves reason enough to exercise three or four years of patience
In 1997, Goldeneye harvested its first grapes, a modest seven tons of estate fruit, yielding 375 cases of wine. After a decade of research, planning and experimentation, Goldeneye's inaugural vintage was announced in March of 2000. By focusing on the careful cultivation of its estate vineyards, Goldeneye has been able to grow, while still remaining true to its philosophy of being a small, quality-driven winery.
Founded on a commitment to quality, Goldeneye brings the tradition of viticultural excellence established by Duckhorn Vineyards in the Napa Valley to the Pinot Noirs of the Anderson Valley. With each new vintage, Goldeneye continues its evolution toward becoming one of the world's premier producers of Pinot Noir.
Surrounded by redwood forests and often blanketed in chilly, ocean fog, the Anderson Valley is one of California’s most picturesque appellations. During the growing season, moist, cool, late afternoon air flows in from the Pacific Ocean along the Navarro River and over the valley's golden, oak-studded hills. High and low temperatures can vary as much as 40 or 50 degrees within a single day, allowing for slow and gentle ripening of grapes, which will in turn create elegantly balanced wines.
The Anderson Valley is best known for Pinot Noir made in a range of styles from delicate and floral to powerful and concentrated. Chardonnay also shines here, and both varieties are often utilized for the production of some of California’s best traditional method sparkling wines. The region also draws inspiration from Alsace and produces excellent Riesling, Gewürztraminer, Pinot Blanc and Pinot Gris.
