I’ve just arrived in Oregon, after landing in Vancouver via Calgary last night. It’s a fair drive down, but on the way back I’ll be stopping in Seattle for the Riesling Rendezvous. Another first: entering the USA via a land border, which took a while, but was uneventful. I’m staying tonight at the Eyrie Vineyards, and got to try these two small production wines, which are full of interest.

The Eyrie Vineyards Rosé of Pinot Meunier Brut Nature NV Dundee Hills, Oregon
Disgorged Jan 2015, a special 50th anniversary bottling to celebrate David Lett’s original 1965 plantings that kicked things off in Oregon wine. Old vine Pinot Meunier (1965 vines), with the base wine basket pressed and then fermented and aged in old oak. It’s a blend of 2009 and 2011 vintages, and it was bottled on the cork for the second fermentation in 2014. Pale pink. So harmonious with lovely finesse to the textured red cherry and pear fruit with a hint of ripe apple. There’s such class here, with a touch of rosehip syrup sweetness on the finish, even though there’s no dosage. Just lovely fruit intensity and breadth, but also lovely focus and attractive savoury notes. Lovely and distinctive. 93/100

The Eyrie Vineyards Chasselas Doré 2015 Dundee Hills, Oregon
Remarkable stuff, weighing in at just 9.5% alcohol. This is just so pure, light and stony with a bit of lemony fruit but also this lovely transparent mineral character, and a faint touch of smokiness. Such a distinctive, fresh, transparent light-bodied wine of real charm and drinkability. 91/100

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