1988 The Eyrie Vineyards Pinot Noir South Block Reserve

Community Tasting Notes (2) Avg Score: 93.5 points

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  6/16/2013 - learningandenjoying Likes this wine: 95 Points

  4.5+9.5+4*+8*+8+4.5+5; Certified bottle; a real treat to drink a 25 year-old Oregon Pinot Noir and it was great! It is beyond my ability to explain, but Eyrie wines age incredibly well and it is wonderful they have a certification program in place where you can be sure that expensive bottle of old wine is going to be good and not have to be poured down the sink. Makes the high cost worth it, especially when the wine easily matches to $250+ Burgundy Grand Crus. There are a very limited number of bottles of these wines available (various vintages and varietals), but highly recommended if you are able to land one (or more). The color was still predominantly "Eyrie red", which is transparent ruby. Some rust/brick color, but for 25 years old its color is still amazing. And the aroma was the most amazing of all. Usually Eyrie aroma is subtle, but this fills the glass with strawberry and raspberry. Amazing. Mouthfeel is crisp, tart, fresh; again you would have no idea this is 25 years old. Flavors are somewhat muted, but with the same strawberry/raspberry red fruits with a subtle spice/mineral mid-palate and a medium length finish with no bad notes whatsoever. Obviously the balance and potential of this wine speaks for itself at 25 years. My one caveat with these wines is that I recommend consuming within the first 30 minutes of opening. My experience with these older Eyrie wines, regardless of varietal, is that they are absolutely delicious right from the opening, but they start changing fast, so even though you want to linger and savor over time, be aware they change a lot after 30+ minutes. That is not necessarily bad, and it is part of the experience, but just be aware. 94+ points

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  7/28/2011 - subtlet Likes this wine: 92 Points

  The Eyrie Vineyards South Block Vertical 1975-2007 (McMinnville Grand Ballroom in McMinnville, Oregon): Caramel scents from the glass are complemented by some peaches, tree bark, and some cherries in the background. Even acidity is shows right away when tasted, along with gentle aged fruit. I get light strawberries at first, with dried cherry flavors showing themselves later. The acidity is slow to arrive, but it's refined at all times. The age shows itself as a touch of leather on the palate that provides a nice contrast to the otherwise light and crisp flavors. 92-

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