One of the beautiful spots in the Anderson Valley, for years I have loved the wines by Goldeneye, a Duckhorn venture located in Philo, California. Michael Fay made some incredible wines for Goldeneye before winemaker, Katey Larwood, took over. There is now a new winemaker, Kristin McMcMahan. Originally from California's Central Valley, in 2012, Kristen moved to Sonoma County to dedicate herself to wine full time. In addition to joining the winemaking team at Korbel, where she spent six years honing her skills working with sparkling wine and Pinot Noir, she began studying at Santa Rosa Junior College, where she earned an Associate of Science degree in enology. Kristen also gained invaluable experience with cool-climate Pinot Noir working for Joseph Phelps’s Freestone Winery on the Sonoma Coast..
I love the new Goldeneye releases which come from the excellent 2019 vintage. 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.
Check out the 2019 Goldeneye ‘Anderson Valley’ Pinot Noir (OB, 92) which is rich and soft with great range. Do not miss out on the incredible 2019 Goldeneye ‘Ten Degrees’ Pinot Noir (OB, 95) which is intense and hedonistic with serious cellaring potential. Learn more about these outstanding Pinot Noirs at https://www.goldeneyewinery.com Here are the great new releases by Goldeneye.
2019 Goldeneye ‘Anderson Valley’ Pinot Noir- The really good 2019 Goldeneye ‘Anderson Valley’ Pinot Noir was sourced from a range of estate vineyards (72% estate) including Gowan Creek and Split Rail vineyards. Aged for sixteen months in 51% new French oak, this reveals peat moss and guava tones with shades of Yakima cherry and tobacco leaf. The palate is rich and beautifully textured, with good length and finesse. Drink this nicely evolved beautiful Pinot Noir over the next decade. Drink 2022-2032- 92
2019 Goldeneye ‘Gowan Creek’ Pinot Noir- This 100% estate vineyard Pinot Noir was sourced from the ‘Gowan Creek Vineyard’ which is located in the slightly warmer end of the Anderson Valley. A mix of Pommard 5, Martini, 828, 667, Mt. Eden, Swan and 777 clonal selections, the wine bursts out of the glass, reveling in potpourri, ripe cherry and strawberry tones alongside shades of cardamom on the nose. The palate is dense and plush, creating a seamless effect that makes this glide though the red fruit-dominated drinking experience. This has really nice aging potential and is already beautifully evolved at the three year mark. Drink 2022-2035- 93
2019 Goldeneye ‘Ten Degrees’ Pinot Noir- A stunning new wine, the 2019 Goldeneye ‘Ten Degrees’ Pinot Noir is up there with the finest Anderson Valley Pinot Noirs I have sampled in the past year. A barrel selection wine from estate vineyards, this dense Pinot Noir is loaded with intense dark fruits with exotic spices, loamy soils and shades of peat moss once on the nose. The palate is refined with very soft tannins that frame a core of loganberry, black tea and blackberry compote flavors. With more air suggestions of cola and sassafras enter, as this glorious wine really needs two hours of air if enjoying in its scintillating youth. Drink 2022-2038- 95
Kristin McMahan is serving as new Goldeneye winemaker.