Winemaker Notes
Located in the heart of the Anderson Valley, the Gowan Creek Vineyard features a unique terroir with elements from the valley’s warmer regions and its cooler, Northern “deep end.” Offering an ideal Southwestern exposure, and an array of unique vineyard blocks planted with clones of Pinot Noir carefully tailored to each site and soil type.
Professional Ratings
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Wine Enthusiast
Bright fruit flavors and lavish oak tones burst from the glass. They're followed by mouthcoating flavors of black cherry, clove and cranberry. For all that richness, it also has good structure due to firm tannins and lively acidity that give it balance. Enjoy now–2022.
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Wilfred Wong of Wine.com
COMMENTARY: Over the years, the Goldeneye team has done a masterful job with the Gowan Creek Vineyard Pinot Noir, and producing a wine that is significantly better than the winery's "regular Anderson Valley bottling." The 2015 vintage is excellent from start to finish. TASTING NOTES: This wine is bright and lasting on the palate. Its aromas and flavors of all the berries, from strawberry to blackberry, and an accent of wood make it a beautiful choice with grilled lamb chops. (Tasted: September 10, 2018, San Francisco, CA)
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
The pale to medium ruby-purple colored 2015 Pinot Noir Gowan Creek Vineyard has baked raspberries and black cherries scents with touches of bay leaves, spice cake and forest floor. The palate is medium to full-bodied with a solid structure of chewy tannins supporting the berry preserves flavors, finishing with an herbal lift.
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.