Winemaker Notes
Professional Ratings
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Wine Enthusiast
Great aromatic complexity and richly layered fruit flavors propel this full-bodied, sophisticated and deep wine. An array of cinnamon, clove and cedar notes blend with ripe black cherry and blackberry, while firm, finegrained tannins seem to lift them up. Best to drink after 2020. Cellar Selection.
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Connoisseurs' Guide
Goldeneye’s preference in Pinot has been for meaty, mouthfilling wines that make no apologies for ripeness and richness, and the winery’s latest flagship Ten Degrees release is a veritable poster child for the Goldeneye style. It is dense, big-shouldered and close to chewy in texture with fruity extract galore, and it sports plenty of tannic grip, but, far from being a one-note exercise in unbridled ripeness, it is a serious wine of great depth whose considerable achievement might not be fully evident for another five or six years. This is definitely one to lay away.
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.