Black
Cap Pinot noir Eyrie's
Second Generation Makes Personal
Pinot
The Black Cap
Pinot noir expresses the
elusive, mysterious, cult-creating
qualities of the Pinot noir
grape, and reflects a very deep
knowledge of winemaking. Jason
Lett's “Indie Pinot”
Black Cap is housed within his
family’s Eyrie Vineyards winery.
The last four
vintages have created a stir—requests
for Black Cap that last months after
the wine is gone. The 2006 is one of those rare Oregon Pinot noirs made with the purpose of expressing the character of the Pinot grape, and of the particular Pinot of the vineyard site. The Black Cap 06 is made from one small block of the oldest fruit in Eyrie's vineyard. Jason's dedication to allowing the terroir of these old vines to show through is expressed in the pure, classic style of this wine. Sophisticated, sensuous, and complete.
BlackCap was named for two native
(and tasty) species of Oregon plants- the Black capped Morel and the
Black cap raspberry. The name also belongs
to a native songbird, the black capped Chickadee.
Jason Lett has been involved in making wine for most of Oregon's vintages
through his family's Eyrie Vineyards. Jason's father, David Lett, is
one of Oregon's wine industry pioneers. He planted and popularized Pinot
gris, and received high scores for his early Pinot noirs from blind tastings
in France, leading to the initial recognition of Oregon as a viable wine
growing region.
Having grown up working in his family's vineyards and winery, Jason
gained a unique perspective on growing and making wine.
Jason explains: "my father's
holistic approach to wine growing has been my greatest influence. He
has always emphasized that great wine
is made in the vineyard."
Jason added to the lessons learned from his family's vineyards by spending
summers in his teen years working and living in Burgundy, and visiting
family friends who grew win in Germany and Switzerland. Later, in his
20's, Jason worked harvest at New Zealand's Matrinborough Vineyards.
In 2002, longtime friend John Davidson invited Jason to make wine from
Davidson's La Cantera vineyard. The resulting wine became Jason's first
solo vintage, the BlackCap 2002. In keeping with Jason's philosophy,
the project was kept small (3 barrels) and meticulously tended.
Jason says: "For me, making wine
is the ultimate way to explore the concept of 'tasting place.' My intention
is to express the vineyard
as fully as possible. I'm doing that by using traditional tools- cool,
small batch fermentations, extended macerations, native yeasts, and bottling
without fining or filtration. I also use a very moderate amount of new
oak - taking the Burgundian approach to oak that was traditional until
the last 15 years or so. When you taste the BlackCap my hope is that
you will taste an expression of place and a vintage, without the pretensions
of a winemaker getting in the way. I'm proud to be a winegrower."
In January 2003, Jason was offered a job as Bishop Creek Vineyard's
managing winegrower.
"When the opportunity with Bishop Creek came along, I jumped at
it," says Jason. "I was ready for the challenge of pursuing
my own vision of winegrowing in a unique vineyard."
Planted in 1988 at 5x5 spacing, the vineyard is one of the oldest high
density plantings in the area. Close spacing, combined with a step slope,
have given the vineyard a reputation as one of the area's most challenging
sites. Jason saw the potential for the site to produce great Pinot noir.
He stopped the use of synthetic chemicals and focused instead on canopy
management and soil health. The results were gratifying: Jason selected
rows of Bishop Creek fruit for his 2003 vintage BlackCap.
"Making wine from fruit you've grown closes the circle," says
Jason. "An intimate knowledge of the vineyard in influences how
finesse the wine, and what you learn from the wine guides the management
of the vineyard."
Jason and his wife Diane live on a small farm near McMinnville with
their 2 girls. In his spare time, Jason stays busy with the kids, the
animals and the garden.
Black Cap Pinot noir 06 unfolds over hours and days. Complex and captivating, it begins with pretty red fruit and earth nuances that, with air, open to a spicy display of lush cherry and raspberry
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Black Cap Chardonnay 06 challenges Burgundy's best -Black Cap rises miles above the usual Oregon Chardonnay - and stands toe to toe with white Burgundies at five times the price. Save
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The 2005 Black Cap is heavenly. Beguiling, complex aromas of floral perfume, sweet cherries, and dusky earth notes fill the glass. You can almost sense the mouthwatering juiciness.
Marionber ...read more >>
A very complete wine, a step up from last years well done 02, with the creamy blackbery and raspberry scents following through with a broad palate of black fruit and spice flavors, finegrained tannins ...read more >>
The Black Cap
Pinot noir expresses the
elusive, mysterious, cult-creating
qualities of the Pinot noir
grape, and reflects a very deep
knowledge of winemaking. Jason
Lett's “Indie Pinot”
Black Cap is housed within his
family’s Eyrie Vineyards winery. 
