Duckhorn Pinot Noir Goldeneye 2021

Cellar for up to 7 years. No need to decant before serving. Recently named one of the world’s top 100 wineries by Wine & Spirits magazine for the seventh time, the Duckhorn story began with Dan and Margaret Duckhorn’s purchase of their first Californian vineyard in St Helena in 1976. Over the intervening forty years, the couple have built a stellar reputation for classy French varietals. In 1996 the Duckhorns founded Goldeneye winery amongst the coastal redwoods of the Anderson Valley which boasts perfect cool climate conditions ideal for Pinot Noir. The pure essence of the varietal immediately leaps out of the glass with bright cherry, cranberry and blackberry aromas followed by undertones of sweet spice, sage and leather from the 16 months of ageing in oak barrels. A velvety texture, medium body and subtle tannins please the palate along with well-integrated oak influence and wild berry flavours. Chicken roasted with rosemary and sea salt would be an excellent match for the wine’s ripe berry and earthy notes. This was an outstanding vintage for the Anderson Valley thanks to wet weather early in the spring which ensured the vines had sufficient water throughout the growing period and dry, warm conditions during the harvest. The result was a low yield of small berries which produced stellar wines with great concentration of flavour and silky smoothness in the mouth.

Price: £55.24 from 8wines UK