Mendocino

• Anderson Valley
• Yorkville Highlands

Goldeneye has been quietly crafting excellent pinot noir from the Anderson Valley in Mendocino County since 1996. Utilizing a blend of four different clones, the Ten Degrees has always been an exceptional wine and this vintage is no different. Beautifully balanced between acidity, fruit and oak aging, this offers black cherry, cranberry, pomegranate, a wee bit of white pepper and an even flow throughout the palate. Though aged for 16 months in French oak the fruit shine without being overly dramatic, the lush ripe flavors are very appealing. In short, this is deftly balanced.

Purple/ruby in color, mostly clear and bright.  The nose has sour cherries and cherry candy.  Medium bodied.  Light tannins.  On the palate, the sour cherries and cherry candy come thru in layers.  There is a deep complexity to this wine.  Just about at peak.  Long finish.  This should drink well for another five to eight years.  It will work well with Salmon or Tuna.  

This was an interesting Pinot Noir from northern California.  Ruby in color, clear and bright.  The nose has cherries, sour cherries, smoke, anise and slight menthol.  Very nice.  On the palate, this has a big, but very nice texture.  Viscous with good acidity.  On the palate, this drinks well with sour cherries, anise, sandalwood and just the faint whiff of char.  Very tasty.  A long finish.  Those who like bigger, fresh (clean) Pinot Noir should love this wine.  Drink over the next ten years.  It would go well with Salmon but also roasted chicken.

Another tremendous wine from Halcon, which, sadly for us, has just been sold.  Inky purple in color, opaque and bright.  The nose is great with boysenberries, plums, black pepper and char.  Full bodied but with vibrancy and energy.  On the palate, black raspberries, plums and char underneath.  Great acidity.  Long finish.  This wine won't hit its peak for another ten years or so and should drink well for another twenty after that.  Given its price though, its worth drinking a few on the young side.  Delicious.  At the moment, it will require big food flavors to go with it; roasted meats or

This is part of the Cliff Lede family of wines.  From Mendocino County (north of Napa).  Light golden in color, clear and bright.  The nose has some apples along with a bit of lemons and slight pineapple.  Medium bodied.  Nice texture.  There is a hint of sweetness here.  The apples and lemons come thru.  Nice finish.  Served cooler on a hot summer night, this was very refreshing on its own.  It will work nicely with fruit salads.  Figs would be nice too.  Drink over the next few years.  

Great wine and an even better value.  Inky purple in color, opaque and bright.  The nose is great with black raspberries, black olives, black pepper and slight bacon fat.  Full bodied. On the palate, this is complex and deep.  Layers of black raspberry fruit, minerality, smoke and earthiness.  Great balance.  Long finish.  This is delicious.  Drink over the next ten to twelve years.  It will work great on its own and works well with roasted meats or veggies.

This is a happy accident.  This white Rhone Blend (65% Roussanne 35% Marsanne) and was bottled and it turned out to have a bit of trapped CO2 giving it a light fizz (frizzante).  The winery enjoyed it and it sold out quickly.  Light golden in color.  The nose has some minerality and pears.  Clean.  Medium bodied.  On the palate, there is indeed a bit of a fizz.  The wine is refreshing and goes down easily.  Some pears and plenty of minerals.  Shorter finish.  It drinks well on its own and will work with lighter foods.  Drink over the next five to seven years.  

Nice to revisit this again.  It has done nicely in the last couple of years.  Purple in color with ruby swirls.  The nose has black cherries and sour cherries with a bit of earthiness.  Wonderful texture.  On the palate, lots of cherries and black cherries and some sour cherries.  This still has a bit more maturing until peak.  Drink over the next ten to twelve years.  Nice on its own, this would work well with roasted chicken.  

This is one of my favorite Petite Sirahs out there.  At age 7, this is still a youngster, but it is delicious.  Inky purple in color, opaque and bright.  The nose has boysenberries, char and spice.  Full bodied.  On the palate, this is intense.  Lots of precision.  Very deep.  Boysenberries over a char base.  Great balance.  Delicious.  Long finish.  Great value, too!  This should drink well for another ten to fifteen years, but it is so good now.  Works great on its own or with spicy foods or fatty foods.  

This is a sparkling wine from northern California.  Light golden in color with a lot of very small bubbles.  The nose is interesting with ginger, figs, toasted nuts, and nutmeg.  Full bodied.  Crisp.  On the palate, notes of figs and red apples.  Some ginger.  The finish is very long.  This is very lively.  It should continue to drink well for another five to seven years before slowly turning into a mature sparkling wine.  This will pair well with almost any food or on its own.