The Eyrie Vineyards Sisters Pinot Noir 2021 Red Wine

The Eyrie Vineyards Sisters Pinot Noir 2021 

Dundee Hills AVA, Willamette Valley, OR

750 ml

95 pts. Wine Advocate:

"The 2021 Pinot Noir Sisters has intense aromas of cranberries, blackberries, bergamot and mossy bark. As it spends time in the glass, it reveals an array of spicy, bitters-like accents that really add complexity to the nose. The medium-bodied palate is silky and vibrant with an understated yet layered core of detailed fruit, and it has a long, spicy finish. Its fruit is youthfully coiled at this stage, and it will benefit from 3-5+ years in bottle."

94 pts. Vinous:

"The 2021 Pinot Noir Sisters blossoms in the glass with woodland berries and herbs complicated by allspice and clove. The palate is round and supple with cooling acidity and ripe wild berries cascading throughout, leaving a sweet spice tinge toward the close. This finishes with remarkable freshness, a gentle sour citrus twang, and slowly fading hints of red plum. The 2021 is already showing beautifully, but there's the balance to excel over the next 5-7 years of cellaring."

93 pts. Wine Spectator:

"A pretty red, graceful and delicate in structure yet vibrant, with cherry and pomegranate flavors that take on forest floor, fresh dill and black tea accents. Concludes with refined tannins. Drink now through 2031. 502 cases made."

93 pts. Jeb Dunnuck:

"The translucent ruby 2021 Pinot Noir Sisters is delicately floral and spicy, with aromas of rose petal, fresh raspberry, and fresh baking spices. Medium-bodied and lifted, with fine tannins and fresh acidity, it’s long on the palate with a fresh. Lingering rosy perfume and a clean lift off the finish. It’s attractive now and will continue to drink well over the coming 6-8 years."

93 pts. James Suckling:

"Fragrant aromas of sage, pine, earth, cherries, raspberries and orange pith. Some peppercorns. It’s medium-bodied, with tightly-knit tannins. Intellectual. 504 cases. From organically grown grapes. Drink or hold."

To us, this wine epitomizes the excellence of Willamette Valley Pinot Noirs. So many flavors swirl around, it's hard to describe them all! And the super long finish is icing on the cake. Such a fantastic Pinot! – Wine Factor

FROM THE WINERY

HISTORY

On February 22 1965, David Lett established the modern era of winegrowing in the Willamette Valley when he planted his first vines. David was soon joined by his new wife Diana, and together they planted and expanded their estate on a former orchard in the Dundee Hills. In planting their Dundee Hills estate, David and Diana not only identified the right climatic zone for Pinot noir, they also selected its most iconic soil: Jory, now Oregon’s state soil.

THE VINIFICATION

One of five cuvées that are produced identically, with the same fermentation regimes of wild yeast and small fermentation vessels, followed by aging in blends of cooperage with 12% new oak in each. The result is a fascinating journey up the Dundee Hills, from our lowest elevation Sisters vineyard at 220’ up to our highest elevation Daphne vineyard at 860’.

Each wine reflects facets of soil, site, exposure, and vine age that together capture a precise portrait of how variations in place can influence Pinot noir.

THE VITICULTURE

Elevation: 220’–330’ Planted: 1989–present Acres: 4.2 Named for the three Pinot sister varieties on the site, gris, blanc and noir. The four acres of Pinot here, planted in 1987 to Pommard and Wädenswil clones, often carry a flowery scent on top of earth and fruit. The elevation runs from 220’ at the bottom to 330’ at the top, and the exposure is directly south. Viticulture at all of the estate vineyards is certified organic.

In addition we practice regenerative no-till farming, with strict attention paid not just to the vines but to the healthy networks of soil organisms that support them. Not only does this approach avoid the need for artificial irrigation, it also nourishes the vines without the need for additional fertilizer, and captures atmospheric carbon.

THE VINTAGE

The weather pattern of 2021 was determined by warmer than normal temps and long dry spells punctuated by short rains. Bud break occurred in early April, a few weeks ahead of schedule, and the vines stayed ahead of schedule from there on out. Mixed rains and heat spikes in June decreased yields, while July and August stayed warm and dry. Early September introduced a change in temperature pattern that brought balance to the vintage. Low nighttime temperatures preserved the fragile acidity of the grapes, and cool mornings allowed the sugars to rise slowly while flavors developed. Picking commenced on September 10th and concluded October 1. The 2021 wines taste dynamic and interesting already, a true reflection of the year.

Appellation: Dundee Hills

Vineyard Certification: Organic

Estate Vineyard Site: Sisters

Fermentation & Aging: Native yeast, 11 hL open top fermenters, hand punched 2x day, full native malo, aged 14 months

Production in Cases: 502

Bottling Date: February 2023

pH: 3.8

Total Acidity: 4.9 g/L

Alcohol % by Volume 13.34