Winemaker Notes
Professional Ratings
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Wine Enthusiast
This full-bodied and firmly textured wine from perennial standout Goldeneye seems designed for aging, as its firm tannins and fresh acidity buoy abundant flavors of black cherry, clove and cedar. A slight tightness on the palate will help it age and improve through 2025.
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Wilfred Wong of Wine.com
COMMENTARY: The 2016 Goldeneye Gowan Creek Vineyard Pinot Noir is pure and attractive. TASTING NOTES: This wine is bright, perky, and long. Its aromas and flavors of bright strawberry, lively cranberry stay beautiful and focus on the palate, and should be lovely with wild game birds. (Tasted: April 20, 2019, San Francisco, CA)
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.