Tasting The Eyrie Vineyards
I recently tasted the last three vintages of Eyrie Reserve Pinot Noir that David Lett made and the latest release
of Chardonnay. Fittingly, the 2004 The Eyrie Vineyards Reserve Pinot Noir, the last vintage that David Lett crafted, was superb.
2007 The Eyrie Vineyards Reserve Dundee Hills Original Vines Chardonnay
13.5% alc, 209 cases, $33. 8 barrels from the original vines first rooted in 1965.
·
Deep golden yellow color. Aromas of lemons, oak char, flint and wax. Attractive
flavors of pears, lemons, vanilla wafer with a grip of minerality and grapefruit on
the back end. Welcoming richness, slightly creamy in texture with bracing acidity.
2004 The Eyrie Vineyards Reserve Willamette Valley Estate Grown Pinot Noir
13.0% alc., $60. A vintage marked by extreme weather
patterns. Reduced crop levels.
·
Very attractive aromas of dark red cherries
are echoed on the palate with added notes of raspberries and baking spice,
and a hint of oak char. Perfectly soft, smooth and understated, even
sensual and seductive. Impressive and packed with pinotosity. Currently
available for sale on the website.
2003 The Eyrie Vineyards Reserve Willamette Valley Estate Grown Pinot Noir
13.0% alc., $50. One of
Oregon’s most unusual and challenging vintages. There were more 100-degree days than ever before creating
the hottest vintage anyone had ever seen. Hot winds out of the Columbia Gorge accelerated sugar
accumulation. The deep-rooted Eyrie vines managed to pull through the year fine.
·
Light garnet color. Demure
but pleasant fresh red cherry and berry aromas. A delicate wine that is light, soft and smooth with restrained
but ample acidity. The elegant red cherry and cranberry flavors are appealing. This wine avoids the problems
incurred by a number if producers who were shouldered with overripe fruit, high alcohols and low acids caused
by the very warm vintage.
2002 The Eyrie Vineyards Reserve Willamette Valley Estate Grown Pinot Noir
13.0% alc.. Perfect
growing season.
·
Moderately dark reddish-purple color - deepest of the 2002, 2003, 2004 trio. Ripe, even
slightly roasted aromas and flavors of cooked cherries, prune, raisin and marzipan. Medium body, smoothly
textured with minimal tannins and hi-strung acidity. Quite different from a bottle reviewed in September, 2008.
