The 2009 Muscat Ottonel is a unique wine sourced from an estate vineyard planted in the mid-1960s. It was raised in stainless steel and went through full ML. Dry on the palate and exceptionally fragrant, this is a full-flavored, nearly exotic offering that will drink nicely for several years. 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 2008 Muscat Ottonel is like no other. It was sourced from an estate vineyard planted in the mid-60s. The wine was raised in stainless steel and went through full malolactic fermentation. Dry on the palate and super-fragrant with floral and tropical aromatics, it is loaded with savory fruit, displays impeccable balance and precision, and has a lengthy, seamless finish. 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