I have loved the Pinot Noirs by Goldeneye for years. A Duckhorn venture located in Philo, California, Goldeneye is. led by 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 had a chance to taste vintages 2019-2023. The vintages are very different but I was most surprised with the 20202 ‘Anderson Valley’ Pinot Noir (OB, 92) which was a wine that came off very clean and rich. No reason to cellar this beauty. The 2019 ‘Anderson Valley’ (OB, 93) was mineral laden and impressively finesse-driven, with a pretty core of red fruits. This one is really coming into its own right now. And the new wine, coming from a slightly cooler vintage, the 2023 ‘Anderson Valley’ (OB, 93) was just as good and alined most closely with the ’19 in the tasting. Overall the tasting showed the incredible consistency of Goldeneye wines. There is good reason why the wines are so popular — they taste delicious and are well-made, age worthy Pinots. 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 2019 ‘Anderson Valley’ Pinot Noir by Goldeneye is primarily estate fruit that was stored in 51% new French oak before bottling. Red currants combine with salty soils and Mandarin orange peel on the nose. The palate is lush and also mineral-laden with loads of bright red fruits and shades of loamy soils. Drink 2026-2036- 93
2020 Goldeneye ‘Anderson Valley’ Pinot Noir- The outstanding 2020 Goldeneye ‘Anderson Valley’ Pinot Noir is a resounding success from this tough vintage. This displays good power with salty tension on the palate, with a killer melange of red and dark fruits, with damp clay soil notes. Beautifully-textured, this is nicely evolved stuff that is drinking at peak right now. Drink 2026-2031- 92
2021 Goldeneye ‘Anderson Valley’ Pinot Noir- The dense and delicious 2021 Goldeneye ‘Anderson Valley’ Pinot Noir is composed of roughly half estate fruit. This Pinot Noir was stored for 16 months in 100% French oak (42% new) before bottling. This is very seamless throughout the drinking experience as medium-bodied kirsch and red raspberry notes combine with provencal herbs and shades of tobacco leaf with sous bois. Complex and delicious, enjoy now and over the next eight to ten years. Drink 2026-2034- 93
2022 Goldeneye ‘Anderson Valley’ Pinot Noir- The 2022 ‘Anderson Valley’ Pinot Noir comes from this exceedingly hot vintage that saw heat spikes at harvest. This shows good mid-palate depth with Linzer torte and loganberry notes that combine with salty minerals on the palate. Drink 2026-2033- 92
2023 Goldeneye ‘Anderson Valley’ Pinot Noir- The 2023 ‘Anderson Valley’ Pinot Noir comes off smooth and mineral-laden on the mouth, coming from several sites from this region. Forest floor, peat moss and damp earthy tones collide with bright red and dark fruits, with citrus zest accents on the palate. This is very well-done. Drink 2026-2034- 93