EYRIE VINEYARDS PINOT NOIR DAPHNE VYD 2019

The Eyrie Vineyards, founded in 1966 by David and Diana Lett, is one of the original and most historic wine estates in Oregon and the US. David Lett, a UC/Davis graduate, pioneered Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, and Pinot Gris plantings in the Willamette Valley, and his winery produced the first American Pinot Noir to compete with Burgundy s renowned wines. Today, Jason Lett continues his family s legacy, producing around 10,000 cases annually, all estate-grown and made with a gentle touch approach, prioritizing natural processes, organic farming, and minimal intervention in the winery. This approach creates wines that are approachable when young and ageable for decades. The 2019 Daphne Pinot Noir is a wine of bright intensity and a powerful energy. The high-toned fruit aromas are complemented by hints of minerality and earthy notes, leading to a crunchy and vivid fruit flavor profile. The palate is marked by a long, savory finish that picks up the earthy and savory notes of the vineyard. With its minimal intervention winemaking approach, including de-stemming, native yeast fermentation, and minimal racking, this wine showcases the unique characteristics of the Daphne vineyard. Aged for 24 months in French oak barrels, 12% of which were new, this wine has developed a complex and nuanced flavor profile. Overall, the 2019 Daphne Pinot Noir is a standout example of Oregon Pinot Noir, with its bright intensity, minerality, and powerful energy making it a must-try for fans of the varietal.