The medium ruby red 2008 Pinot Noir Estate offers up a lovely perfume of cherry blossom, cinnamon, incense, cranberry, and raspberry. Elegant on the palate with plenty of spicy red fruit, lively acidity, and enough structure to evolve for several years, it will be at its best from 2013 to 2023. A visit to The Eyrie Vineyards and Jason Lett is always a highlight of my 2 weeks in Willamette Valley. Jason pursues his (and his late father’s) vision of viticulture and winemaking with little or no regard to what others are doing, and it seems to work out just fine. www.eyrievineyards.com

Continuing the well-delineated style of his father, second generation winemaker Jason Lett has crafted a classic Eyrie Pinot Noir. What is notable in this excellent vintage is that there is just a little more flesh and full-on black cherry flavor to the fruit, along with the typical herbal and spice highlights. Balanced and ageworthy, though drinking quite nicely right now.——P.G.(8/1/2011)—— 89