94 Points - Wine Enthusiast
2009 Goldeneye Estate Grown Gowan Creek Vineyard Pinot Noir
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Two miles north of the Confluence Vineyard in the heart of the Anderson Valley, our Gowan Creek Vineyard
sees appreciably more coastal fog. The unique terroir of this site brings together elements from both the
valley’s warmer regions and its cooler, northern “deep end”. Offering an ideal Southwestern exposure and an
array of unique vineyard blocks, Gowan Creek is planted to eight different clones of Pinot Noir, each
carefully tailored to a specific site and soil type. The powerful and expressive wine produced from these vines displays beautiful inky depth and robust, untamed fruit flavors.
Reviews
Wine Enthusiast
94
Wine Review Online
91
Connoisseurs' Guide
92
Wine Profile
Production Notes
Varietal Content: 100% Pinot Noir; Cooperage: 70% New, 30% Second Vintage French oak; Medium toast: Allier, Vosges and Tronçais Forests
Winemaker Notes
Gowan Creek is the home of our winery and offers a perfect mid-valley winegrowing location that combines warmer Anderson Valley elements with coastal fog and cooling influences from the northern end of the valley. In 2009, this unique terroir produced a lavish beast of a wine with a lush, round palate and layers of brooding blackberry, dark plum, wild cherry, earth and Asian spice. Intriguing oak-inspired pencil shaving and oatmeal cookie notes add depth and the wine offers great finishing tannins and spice.
Production
The 2009 harvest began at a measured pace in our Confluence and Gowan Creek vineyards, before the arrival of a ten-day heat wave. This heat wave was beneficial for two main reasons. Not only did it push the fruit in the warmer end of our valley to perfect ripeness, it allowed the vineyards in the colder “deep end” to catch up from a cool growing season. Just as important, the heat was followed by an extended cool-down, which essentially “held” the fruit in perfect balance as we picked block by block to garner the best wines.
Other Notes
Released: March 2012
Wine Specs
Wine Specs
Vintage
2009
Varietal
Pinot Noir
Appellation
Anderson Valley
Vineyard Designation
Gowan Creek Vineyard
Harvest Date
September 14 – October 25, 2009
Sugar
25.0° Brix
Acid
0.52 g/100 ml titratable acidity
pH
3.73
Aging
16 Months in Barrel
Bottling Date
January 2011
Alcohol %
14.5
Wine Enthusiast
94
Wine Review Online
91
Connoisseurs' Guide
92
Product Reviews
Add a ReviewProduct Reviews
Ruda Nelson
(Feb 12, 2013 at 12:42 PM)
If you like the Goldeneye Pinot Noir from Anderson Valley then you will definitely NOT be disappointed! There's a reason why this is $80.00 a bottle. I've had some exceptional wines but this by far is my favorite of all time!
Tim Cusack
(Dec 31, 2013 at 3:50 PM)
Truly among the Pinot Noir elites. Well balanced and delicious.