Comments on: David Lett and an Eyrie Vineyards retrospective

By: Tracy Lewis Liang

Tracy Lewis Liang — Fri, 17 Oct 2008 16:02:56 +0000

I’m so sorry to hear that David died. He was one of the true originals in American wine. His 1986 Pinot Gris was a true epiphany for me as a budding young wine lover. In fact, I may credit that wine for launching my professional wine career. I can still remember how it tasted- full of green plum and a touch of mustard seed.

I eventually got to know David when I was a sales rep for the company that distributed Eyrie vineyards in Chicago. David came to work in the market several times and I would take him around in my little car to meet and taste the wines with restaurateurs. He was fun to be with- kind, intelligent and thoughtful. I always felt honored that he would take seriously even a young pup like me.

It had been several years since I’d seen him when I went to the IPNC in 2000. In a large crowd we spotted each other and he came over to me with a handwritten list in his hand. He’d seen the list of participants and had jotted down a few names of people he wanted to be sure to greet. I was so touched to see that my name was on his list.

That Sunday, after the official festivities were over, he invited a group of us to the winery for an informal tasting. I remember that Christophe Roumier was so impressed by the authenticity of the Pinot Noirs. I think David’s wines were occasionally idiosyncratic but nevertheless, they were a revelation for many people for their true expression of terroir.

He sent me home with a bottle of his quirky, wonderful and rare Muscat Ottonel which I shared with my friends.

Thanks, David for your vision, your friendship and your marvellous wines. We’ll miss you.

By: Dave S.

Dave S. — Fri, 17 Oct 2008 14:07:45 +0000

That’s fantastic that you were able to be a part of that retrospective tasting. I visited Eyrie in August of this year and in their tasting room they have all the bottles from 1970 on that were part of that tasting. They’re lined up on a shelf for all to see. It’s nice to know that you actually partook of those!

The tasting at Eyrie was by far the best one of our trip to Willamette Valley. We were the only ones in the tasting room and Tom (if I’m remembering his name right), whose been with Eyrie for years, talked to us for a good solid half-hour about David and Jason Lett, the differences in their wine-making styles, and the overall history of Oregon Pinot which starts Eyrie. He even showed us David Lett’s office!

We recently opened an AMAZING Eyrie Pinot Gris from ‘06. Having trouble remember the tasting note in detail but very creamy with vibrant fruit. It really was one of the best Pinot Gris I’ve ever had.

We also ended up taking bottles of ‘02 and ‘03 Pinot Reserve home with us, which were among the last David Lett produced himself. Those will sit in our cellar for a while and we’ll certainly think of him when opened.

By: Mary

Mary — Thu, 16 Oct 2008 17:57:18 +0000

I’ve met David Lett a few times and have attended the IPNC 4 or 5 times. Oregon wine is to me the apex of what Pinot Noir can be and all the winemakers there now can thank David Lett for paving the way for the ever growing and evolving industry in the Willamette Valley. Thanks for your acknowledgement of him and the oft overlooked domestic wine region…

By: Photo post: the pour at IPNC | Dr Vino's wine blog

Photo post: the pour at IPNC | Dr Vino's wine blog — Thu, 16 Oct 2008 11:59:09 +0000

[...] sidebar). Thanks for visiting!Since I reached into my Oregon archives for a posting in memory of David Lett earlier this week, here are some photos of the pour from IPNC this past July. Hopefully the new [...]

By: Dale Cruse

Dale Cruse — Wed, 15 Oct 2008 20:04:27 +0000

As I’ve written elsewhere, apparently I did not know enough about the great David Lett while he was alive. However, I am glad I am getting the opportunity now – albeit a bit too late. Thank you.

By: Dylan

Dylan — Wed, 15 Oct 2008 01:48:05 +0000

I’m sorry about David. Even though your meeting was a one-time occurrence, it’s enough to touch a person and leave them with a memory. Thanks for sharing your memory and letting us, those who never met him, get a taste for who he was.

By: Michael

Michael — Tue, 14 Oct 2008 12:59:39 +0000

I used to be a big fan of Oregon Pinot, and when I went out to the Willamette a couple of years back I found that much of the wine disappointed me. Many were too simple, or too much like California wines. There are notable exceptions. One such notable exception was the very reasonably priced ‘02 Eyrie we brought home with us. We opened it and found it to be very much like a Burgundy in style, in all the right ways, but with the Oregon fruit profile that is so nice when put in the proper perspective. That was a great bottle, and I think perhaps we will look for some more.

By: Joey

Joey — Tue, 14 Oct 2008 04:59:07 +0000

Thanks Dr. Vino. I have a bottle of Eyrie’s 1980 Pinot Noir that I will be opening very soon in David’s honor. Always waiting for that “special occasion”…