Winemaker Notes
Professional Ratings
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Wine Enthusiast
One of the most ripe, opulent and unctuous of the Anderson Valley wines, this full-bodied bottling smells and tastes like cinnamon, cherries, milk chocolate and brown sugar, but not as sweet as that sounds. The texture is very broad and mouth-coating and the alcohol feels on the high side, giving a feeling of power with polish.
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Wine Spectator
Generous, offering ripe plum, black cherry and wild berry flavors, with touches of anise and black licorice. Ends with hints of dusty dried herb and cedar that fold into the finish. Drink now through 2021.
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Connoisseurs' Guide
Fine Pinot Noir manages to marry richness and grace in a way that few other red wines do, and Goldeneye’s latest from the Gowan Creek Vineyard very capably makes just that point. It is moderately full-bodied, supple and quite rich with a strong accent on juicy, black cherries and a lesser one on the crème brûlée qualities of very good oak, and it keeps ripeness nicely reined in. It finishes with tannin enough to provide a bit of grip but not so much to dissuade early drinking, and, if it is sure to be helped by a few years of cellaring, it possesses plenty of charm even now.
Anderson Valley, located in Mendocino County just above Sonoma County, is one of California’s coolest AVAs, allowing it a long growing season. Only 15 miles long, the region makes a slice eastward through the mountains, from the frigid Pacific Ocean. Dramatic diurnal temperature variations here preserve grape acidity and thus freshness in the finished wines. These are prime conditions for growing Pinot Noir, and the valley produces many fine versions. Characteristics of Anderson Valley Pinot Noir typically include crisp acidity, cranberry and strawberry notes as well as earthy notes of forest floor and mushroom.
Still Pinot Noir, however, is only part of the story. Pinot Noir, along with Chardonnay, are also grown for Anderson Valley’s exceptional sparkling wines. Produced via the traditional method, these offer a classic toasty note from lees aging, bright, complex fruit notes and a clean, refreshing character.