Goldeneye (Duckhorn Vineyards)
Estate Grown Gowan Creek Vineyard Pinot Noir
Anderson Valley, North Coast, California, USA
2005 | Pinot Noir
Goldeneye; Gowan Creek Vineyard
Mendocino Coast / Anderson Valley; Philo, CA, USA
(93-95; drink 2023-28, 5H decant)
Very over the top still at 18Y.
Charred red raspberry, crushed blackberries, black cherry, over-ripe strawberry, leather, chocolate cake and cedar balm.
Brown sugar syrup over ripe strawberries, musty moss / bark mulch, dried blackberry.
Serious, perfection for Anderson Valley.
Paired to a well charred, yet medium pork tenderloin, toasted orzo with garden herbs and spring squash+zucchini, delicious.
2005 | Pinot Noir
Goldeneye; Gowan Creek Vineyard
Mendocino Coast / Anderson Valley; Philo, CA, USA
(93-95; drink 2023-28, 5H decant)
Very over the top still at 18Y.
Charred red raspberry, crushed blackberries, black cherry, over-ripe strawberry, leather, chocolate cake and cedar balm.
Brown sugar syrup over ripe strawberries, musty moss / bark mulch, dried blackberry.
Serious, perfection for Anderson Valley.
Paired to a well charred, yet medium pork tenderloin, toasted orzo with garden herbs and spring squash+zucchini, delicious.
Deep Ruby color with aromas of red fruits, smoky cedar and baking spice. On the palate flavors of juicy cherry and ripe raspberry with toasty notes and cinnamon spice. Full-bodied, fine smooth tannins, long finish ending with fruit, spice, oak and an earthy character. Outstanding!
Deep Ruby color with aromas of red fruits, smoky cedar and baking spice. On the palate flavors of juicy cherry and ripe raspberry with toasty notes and cinnamon spice. Full-bodied, fine smooth tannins, long finish ending with fruit, spice, oak and an earthy character. Outstanding!
Mar 1st, 20232007 | Birthday weekend for my lovely wife.
Similar to notes from our recent 2005 pull, but the fruits are more muddled/commingled on the nose. Generous on the nose & palate; abbreviated notes.
Paired with baked pork tenderloin chops, glazed with Dijon mustard, garlic, rosemary, panko & Parmesan; roasted acorn squash with Za'atar, pomegranate molasses & lemon juice.
Decanted 2H at the time of notes.
2007 | Birthday weekend for my lovely wife.
Similar to notes from our recent 2005 pull, but the fruits are more muddled/commingled on the nose. Generous on the nose & palate; abbreviated notes.
Paired with baked pork tenderloin chops, glazed with Dijon mustard, garlic, rosemary, panko & Parmesan; roasted acorn squash with Za'atar, pomegranate molasses & lemon juice.
Decanted 2H at the time of notes.
Nose has ripe blackberry, perfect black cherry, strawberry, tanned leather, moist chocolate cake, dry leaves and a touch of alcohol.
Palate has brown sugar dusted ripe strawberries, over-ripe black cherry, dehydrated strawberry, forest moss and moist soil; medium finish. Decanted 4H at the time of notes.
Paired with Taiwanese Five Spice Pork (Lu Rou Fan | 卤肉饭) over Jasmin rice with lightly fried eggs from our private egg factory in the backyard. Locally raised NY pork (Kinderhook Farm, Valatie, NY), Columbia Co. ❤️
Inaugural vintage. This was shortly after the time Duckhorn acquired Goldeneye and started a massive diversification program, isolating the vineyards into singular bottlings. For better or worse, we only lasted a few more years on vigorous collecting before withdrawal. Pricing was really getting detached from quality IMHO.
Nose has ripe blackberry, perfect black cherry, strawberry, tanned leather, moist chocolate cake, dry leaves and a touch of alcohol.
Palate has brown sugar dusted ripe strawberries, over-ripe black cherry, dehydrated strawberry, forest moss and moist soil; medium finish. Decanted 4H at the time of notes.
Paired with Taiwanese Five Spice Pork (Lu Rou Fan | 卤肉饭) over Jasmin rice with lightly fried eggs from our private egg factory in the backyard. Locally raised NY pork (Kinderhook Farm, Valatie, NY), Columbia Co. ❤️
Inaugural vintage. This was shortly after the time Duckhorn acquired Goldeneye and started a massive diversification program, isolating the vineyards into singular bottlings. For better or worse, we only lasted a few more years on vigorous collecting before withdrawal. Pricing was really getting detached from quality IMHO.
The 2016 ‘Gowan Creek Vineyard’ Pinot Noir is another gorgeous bottling from this storied estate in the Anderson Valley. This Anderson Valley Vineyard is known for its steady coastal fog and is planted to eight different clones of Pinot Noir. The wine opens with good range on the nose with milk chocolate and sassafras to wild blackberry cobbler and red currant with earthy undertones that all connect in the glass. The soft mouthfeel entices here as orange rind melds with red and dark berry flavors alongside shades of peat moss and exotic spices. This is seriously good now but will only build as it ages over the next ten to fifteen years. Drink 2019-2033- 93
The 2016 ‘Gowan Creek Vineyard’ Pinot Noir is another gorgeous bottling from this storied estate in the Anderson Valley. This Anderson Valley Vineyard is known for its steady coastal fog and is planted to eight different clones of Pinot Noir. The wine opens with good range on the nose with milk chocolate and sassafras to wild blackberry cobbler and red currant with earthy undertones that all connect in the glass. The soft mouthfeel entices here as orange rind melds with red and dark berry flavors alongside shades of peat moss and exotic spices. This is seriously good now but will only build as it ages over the next ten to fifteen years. Drink 2019-2033- 93
Goldeneye is the Anderson Valley branch of Napa’s Duckhorn, and Gowan Creek has routinely been a favorite among their single vineyard Pinots. Brooding and opulent, it matches blackberry, anise tones with more earthen flavors - tilled soil and mushroom caps. Meaty and gratifying.
Goldeneye is the Anderson Valley branch of Napa’s Duckhorn, and Gowan Creek has routinely been a favorite among their single vineyard Pinots. Brooding and opulent, it matches blackberry, anise tones with more earthen flavors - tilled soil and mushroom caps. Meaty and gratifying.
Jun 22nd, 2018
One of my favorite pinot Vineyards. Wonderful.
One of my favorite pinot Vineyards. Wonderful.
Mar 8th, 2018
2005 and could have easily gone another ten years. Excellent fruit and soft tannins.
2005 and could have easily gone another ten years. Excellent fruit and soft tannins.
1 person found it helpfulJan 10th, 2017Lovely PN from Anderson Valley! Black cherry, blackberry, leather and spice character. Very smooth and long
Lovely PN from Anderson Valley! Black cherry, blackberry, leather and spice character. Very smooth and long
1 person found it helpfulApr 21st, 2014Ruby with aromas of fresh ripe berries, herbs, spices and oak. The palate shows juicy black cherry, blackberries and complex spice with gentle oak. The wine is well balanced, rich, great mouth feel, fine tannins with a little backbone to allow for aging. The finish has good length and ends with oaky notes.
Ruby with aromas of fresh ripe berries, herbs, spices and oak. The palate shows juicy black cherry, blackberries and complex spice with gentle oak. The wine is well balanced, rich, great mouth feel, fine tannins with a little backbone to allow for aging. The finish has good length and ends with oaky notes.
Jun 17th, 2016