Winemaker Notes
Professional Ratings
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Tasting Panel
Winemaker Katey Larwood understands the distinctiveness of the Anderson Valley when it comes to crafting world-class Pinot Noir. For this wine, she selects what she calls “the most complete and compelling estate lots,” taking a deep dive into black cherry, plum, and just-tilled earth. The vineyard’s proximity to famed California redwoods allows us to imagine its true forest-floor nature. Licorice, dark chocolate, and brush pave the road to the finish.
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Wine Enthusiast
Dazzling spicy aromas and vibrant black-fruit flavors converge beautifully in this bold but balanced wine. Scents of wood smoke, toasted oak, cardamom and black pepper meet black cherry, aged beef and blueberry on the palate, buoyed by moderate tannin's and subtle nervy acidity. Best from 2023. Cellar Selection.
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Wilfred Wong of Wine.com
COMMENTARY: The 2017 Goldeneye Ten Degrees Anderson Valley Pinot Noir is an outstanding wine. It is well-made and built to develop over the long haul. TASTING NOTES: This wine offers beautiful and intricate aromas and flavors of black fruit, licorice, and chalk. Enjoy it with rosemary and black pepper-accented, roast leg of lamb. (Tasted: February 4, 2021, San Francisco, CA)
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Jeb Dunnuck
The most expensive Pinot Noir in the lineup, the 2017 Pinot Noir Ten Degrees is a cellar selection brought up in 100% new French oak. This medium ruby/plum-hued 2017 has a ripe, sexy bouquet of black cherry and cassis fruits as well as toasted spice and dried flower notes, medium to full body, a ripe, textured mouthfeel, and the classic minerality and focus that's present in all of these wines. It has some upfront appeal as well as the more savory style of the 2017 vintage and should evolve gracefully for 10-12 years.
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Wine Spectator
Ripe, with good power to the zesty cherry and raspberry tart flavors, featuring notes of hot stone and cedar. Dark chocolate and Asian spice details emerge on the toasty finish.
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.