Wanna Drink Some History?

Oregon Pinot Noir has now surpassed California, Burgundy and wherever else, in terms of overall sales here at CHWC.  Chardonnay sales are trending a little in that direction as well, just not quite as quickly as Pinot.  When you think about how long (how short, really) we’ve been producing wine in Oregon (give or take 50 yrs) versus those regions, that fact is even more amazing.  We see the quality get better year after year after year.  You can find a laundry list of big names from France and California that have bought up property in Oregon’s Willamette Valley that are now capitalizing on the region’s unique “terroir” to produce some of the world’s finest wines. 

Well, somebody had to be the first, right?  Somebody had to have the courage, the vision, the lack of care for what other people thought… That was David Lett, the visionary.  He stuck his first Pinot Noir and Chardonnay vines in the Oregon ground in 1965 after moving there from California fresh out of UC Davis’s Enology program.  He was also the first to plant Pinot Gris anywhere in America!  His winery, Eyrie Vineyards, was founded a year later in 1966 and produced their first wines in 1970.  They’ve always believed in the “minimal interventionist” approach to both the vineyards and the winemaking process.  They were practicing organic farming and viticulture before ‘Organic wine’ was even a thing… (I realize wines have been produced organically for millennia but in the 60’s and 70’s, organically farmed vineyards were anything but the norm…)  Dry-farmed, hand-harvested, never sprayed with pesticides, fungicides or any other -ides… They’ve created the truest and rawest expressions of individual varieties that you can find anywhere. 

Eyrie ‘The Eyrie’ Estate Pinot Noir 2016

Sale $71.99 (Best price I can find online… winery price is $80)

96 Pts James Suckling/ 95 Pts Wine Advocate

This is the original planting of Pinot Noir in the Willamette Valley!

Eyrie’s original vineyard, and the home of the hawks that grace the label, the 7 acres of Pinot here were planted form 1965-1974. The elevation runs from 260’-410’ and faces south rolling east and west. The wines from this site are the most fragrant and complex.

“This has quite a haunting edge to the nose (older vines at 47 years here), this has a very fragrant, supple and finely fruited and appealing feel with plenty of earth, foresty nuances and delicate spices in tow. The palate has a very resolved, deep and elegant feel. The tannins are fine and delicate at the surface and fully underwrite the palate in every corner. The fresh, spicy red cherries hold long, fresh and vibrant. Drink or hold.” JS

“The 2016 Pinot Noir The Eyrie has a medium ruby-purple color and pretty nose of violet, dried hollyhock, prosciutto, leather, blueberries and boysenberries with red currant, oolong tea leaves and earth aromas. It’s medium-bodied and ultra silky with gobs of perfumed fruit layers, a very finely grained frame and mouthwatering acidity, finishing long and perfumed.” WA

Eyrie Estate Pinot Noir 2017

Sale $37.99 

94 Pts James Suckling

This is the truest taste of Eyrie Vineyards and one heck of a wine in it’s own right.  A great representation of Jason Lett’s winemaking and an assurance that Eyrie isn’t just about history but that they have a very bright future as well!  A beautiful wine that will last for years but is soft enough and approachable enough to be enjoyed now.

"The overall impression of the wine is freshness and balance in spite of the warm vintage.  On the nose, savory red raspberry and blueberry combine with a truffled earthiness and floral spice.  On the palate, crushed strawberry, violets, and sweet cherry pay homage to the riper year while briar, and porcini notes bring complexity. Texture is defined by soft but present tannins that rise through the midpalate to create a sueded texture. The tannins are enhanced by firm acidity on the finish." winery note

“A blend of all five Eyrie sites, this gives a gauge on the 2017 harvest here, as one that delivered fresh and complex style. Red-cherry, raspberry, blueberry and leafy aromas with gently earthy and spicy tones in equal measure. The palate has a very smooth core of fleshy red-cherry flavors and carries a velvety tannin texture long and fresh. Seriously complex pinot.”

Eyrie Estate Chardonnay 2018

Sale $28.99 

93 Pts James Suckling

Eyrie’s old vine Chardonnay vineyard blocks, over 50 years old, are planted to a unique section of clones, the ‘Draper Selection’, which are particularly well suited to Oregon’s climate. The grapes are treated with great respect and the wine rests undisturbed ‘sur lies’ in barrel for one year, is moderately filtered, then bottled. Complex aromas and only the barest hint of oak. 

“This has a very sweetly fragrant nose with a gently waxy and spicy edge to the ripe pears and peaches. The palate delivers a very composed, succulent feel with grilled almonds and hazelnuts, ripe peaches and pears through to the end. Persistent, rich style here. Drink or hold.”

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