It was a very warm late summer day as my wife and I descended into what is typically a cooler site to taste wine. Even at 10AM it was 90 degrees as a heat wave had struck Northern California. We had a magical experience starting with bubbles and tasting their single vineyard wines. For those who have never visited Goldeneye, you are in for a treat.
One of the great Mendocino producers of Pinot Noir, Goldeneye is 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.
The 2018 wines show plenty of stuffing and have great salty terroir. Goldeneye utilizes 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 adored the new 2018 Goldeneye ‘Confluence Vineyard’ Pinot Noir (OB, 93) which shows good richness and excellent salty character. Learn more about these outstanding Pinot Noirs at https://www.goldeneyewinery.com Here are the great new releases by Goldeneye.
2018 Goldeneye ‘The Narrows Vineyard’ Pinot Noir- Located in the Anderson Valley, ‘The Narrows Vineyard’ is closely located. To the coast, having a strong. Marine influence and major fog presence. The vineyard is planted to Pommard, Dijon 777 and 115 clone Pinot Noir. Aged in 60% new French oak, this shows off ripe red currants and red cherry with tobacco, damp earth and teaberry undertones that all mingle in the glass. The palate is elegant and beautifully textured with an outstanding sense of salinity. Layers of very pretty red fruits are woven together with red rose water, peat moss and saline drenched Mandarin orange rind tones on the palate. The great length here adds to the enjoyment, as this beautiful wine is best enjoyed over the next ten to fifteen years. Drink 2021-2033- 93
2018 Goldeneye ‘Split Rail Vineyard’ Pinot Noir- The 2018 ‘Split Rail Vineyard’ is a beautiful new wine by the talented Katey Larwood. Aged in 60% new French oak, this opens with pretty red floral tones that mingle with pomegranate seed and shades of baking spice dusted kumquat that all meld in the glass. The palate is beautifully textured and elegant, with distinct salinity that runs through the great core of red fruits. Gorgeous in its youth, this beautiful wine will evolve well over the next decade. Drink 2021-2033- 92
2018 Goldeneye ‘Confluence Vineyard’ Pinot Noir- The ‘Confluence Vineyard’ is home to a range of soils near the Navarro river. Utilizing many different clonal varietals including 777, 666, 115, 459 and 113, the wine was aged in 60% new French oak before bottling. Ripe red plum and cigar box tones mingle with a great range of salted red and dark fruits that mingle together on the nose. The palate is rich and voluptuous with a silky texture. Tilled salty. soils and ripe red fruits parade with minerals, smoke and peat moss undertones on the palate. Gorgeous to enjoy now, the. 2018 ‘Confluence Vineyard’ Pinot Noir will provide drinking enjoyment for more than a decade to come. Drink 2021-2033- 93