The 2007 Pinot Noir South Block Reserve is sensational for the vintage. Satin-textured, pure, and beautifully proportioned, it is likely to evolve for several more years and drink well through 2022. Given how Eyrie’s wines can surprise with their longevity, my estimate is likely to be conservative.Unfortunately I was unable to meet with Jason Lett this year, but The Eyrie Vineyards’ wines generally speak for themselves. Eyrie has begun to release (for the first time) their legendary South Block Reserve bottling. It was the 1975, a wine I have tasted recently and rated 97 points, that put Willamette Valley Pinot Noir on the map.www.eyrievineyards.com

The 1982 Pinot Noir South Block Reserve is very much alive. It is the first vintage of Willamette Valley Pinot Noir that I tasted in any depth and it was a solid year. However, if anyone suggested to me that a 1982 would still be alive nearly 30 years later, I might have thought them delusional. It is light ruby in color with a well-developed, mature bouquet of exotic spices and dried herbs intermingled with cherry and strawberry fruit. Delicate on the palate but with good grip and length, it is a fine example of how Eyrie’s impeccably balanced Pinots can evolve (even in a less than great year) although it is not nearly in the class of the 1975. Unfortunately I was unable to meet with Jason Lett this year, but The Eyrie Vineyards’ wines generally speak for themselves. Eyrie has begun to release (for the first time) their legendary South Block Reserve bottling. It was the 1975, a wine I have tasted recently and rated 97 points, that put Willamette Valley Pinot Noir on the map.www.eyrievineyards.com