2019 Goldeneye Pinot Noir, Anderson Valley, Mendocino County, California (375ml)   

This vintage seems a little more restrained than past vintages of Goldeneye, and is perhaps even better, showing off its Anderson Valley character more clearly.

Even though it was aged for 16 months in 53% new and 47% second year French oak barrels, the oak is very well integrated, again a bit of a departure from past vintages. Then when you add the amazing 2012 vintage to the equation, you get probably one of the better Goldeneye Pinot Noirs ever produced. Winemaker, Michael Fay describes it as a delightful blend of sweet and savory, noting the palate shows, "beautifully delineated layers of freshly tilled earth, leather, lavender and pennyroyal balanced by flavors of sweet Bing cherry, Japanese plum and black currant notes. The mouth feel is round and plump, gliding to a long, satisfying finish."