The 2008 Chardonnay Black Cap Reserve (only 3 barrels produced) received extended skin contact leaving the wine with a slight green tint. It was aged for 7 days (days, not months) in new oak before racking to neutral oak for 16 months of elevage. Creamy on the palate with layers of succulent pear and apple fruit, mineral, and baking spice notes, this concentrated, lengthy offering merits several years of cellaring and should have the longevity of a first-class Puligny-Montrachet. 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