1983 The Eyrie Vineyards Pinot noir "South Block Reserve"
David Lett is the father of Oregon pinot noir, inspired by traditional Burgundian winemaking practice. His Pinot noir stands in the more delicately perfumed style. In 2005, Jason Lett took over from his father as winemaker and vineyard manager and continues his family’s pioneering legacy. Tight and austere while young, these wines often begin to blossom only at 5-10 years of age. The philosophy of the Eyrie Vineyards, from the beginning the wines have been made exclusively from grapes grown without the use of insecticides, herbicides, or systemic fungicides. The vines are grown on their own roots and are not irrigated. In 1979, in Paris, and the following year in Beaune, The Eyrie Vineyards 1975 Pinot noir bought international attention to Oregon, a wine region unfamiliar to almost anyone except a handful of hardy pioneers; Oregon won recognition as the New World home for pinot noir. Willamette Valley is one of the United States' most importan...