It was a really hot summer day in early September and I embarked on my visit to Goldeneye. We were in for a heat wave, as we had an early morning tasting appointment where temperatures reached 90 degrees! This was quite unusual at what is usually a very cool site. For years I have admired the wines of Goldeneye, a Duckhorn venture located in Philo, California in the heart of the Anderson Valley. Famed Domaine Serene winemaker Michael Fay was at Goldeneye before moving north and they rely on the talented Katey Larwood for winemaking, as I interviewed her last year. Katey has experience working harvests across the globe and began studying wine while attending school in Santa Barbara. Her wines have been really good since she has been at the helm.
I love the new releases which come from what was generally thought of an easier vintage in 2018. Goldeneye has three estate vineyards (Confluence, Gowan Creek and The Narrows) in the Anderson Valley encompassing 200 vine acres and more than 20 Pinot Noir clones.
I was totally impressed with the new sparkling wine, the 2018 Goldeneye ‘Brut Rose’ Sparkling Wine (OB, 92) which shows a very pretty red fruit profile and really good finesse. and a silky mouthfeel. I was blown away with the 2018 Goldeneye ‘Ten Degrees’ Pinot Noir (OB, 95) which is dense, and chewy with some incredible cellaring potential and insanely good range even at the three year mark. Learn more about these outstanding Pinot Noirs at https://www.goldeneyewinery.com Here are the great new releases by Goldeneye.
2018 Goldeneye ‘Anderson Valley’ Brut Rose Sparkling Wine- This great new bottling by Goldeneye and winemaker Katie Larwood is comprised of 60% Pinot Noir and 40% Chardonnay. The wine was whole cluster pressed, and then aged on the lees for 10 months and then en triage for two years before spending an additional six months in the bottle before release. Fresh orchard fruits greet you with saline drenched peach and Japanese apple tones melding well with brioche undertones. Fantastic now, this has another ten years or more to go in the cellar. Drink 2021-2031- 92
2018 Goldeneye ‘Anderson Valley’ Pinot Noir- Sourced from the Anderson Valley, the 2018 Goldeneye Pinot Noir reveals pretty red rose petal aromatics alongside orange blossom, red cherry compote and freshly tilled soils. The palate is soft, plush and filled with vibrant acidity. Layers of baking spices and red and dark fruits parade with earthy undertones and suggestions of cigar box on the palate. Great to consume right now, this has the freshness and stuffing to go for at least another ten years. Drink 2021-2031- 92
2018 Goldeneye ‘Gowan Creek Vineyard’ Pinot Noir- Centrally located in the Anderson Valley, the ‘Gowan Creek Vineyard’ is home to a large variety of Pinot Noir clonal selections. Black tea and Asian spice tones combine with suggestions of blackberry compote on the nose. The palate is wonderfully earthy with peat moss tones that combine with suggestions of black cherry cordial, tilled loamy soils and cran-orange notes. Seriously good in its youth, this outstanding new bottling will cellar well for another fifteen years. Drink 2021-2036- 94
2018 Goldeneye ‘Ten Degrees’ Pinot Noir- Katey Larwood meticulously chooses her favorite barrels in the ‘Ten Degrees’ Pinot Noir. This edition is amongst the finest I have ever tasted from this estate. Once on the nose this takes on layers of pomegranate seed, salty soils, soy sauce and suggestions of boysenberry cordial that all dance together in unison. The palate is generous and bold, yet has beautiful restraint. It is quite simply a seamless drinking experience throughout as layers of kirsch cordial, red raspberry topped shortbread, blood orange zest and wild mushroom all brilliantly combine, with seriously good length and tension. The light dusting of salinity adds to the enjoyment, as the 2018 ‘Ten Degrees’ will no doubt be a 20 year old wine. Be sure to give this an hour of air before consuming in its brilliant youth. Drink 2021-2040- 95