2017 Sullivan Pinot noir
Inviting floral notes with hints of baking spice. This wine has focused and vibrant acidity with rich and silky tannins. Lithe and composed with a layered core of juicy red fruits and a lengthy finish.
This combination of Dijon 777, Dijon 667, and Wadenswil selections was entirely barrel fermented in French oak sourced from the Billon, Sirugue, and Cadus cooperages with emphasis on the Troncais and Allier forests.
Total elevage was ten months with 30% new French oak. Bottling occurred August 27, 2018 with a final alcohol of 14.2%.We honored Mike McNally’s paternal grandmother Winifred Sullivan with this bottling.
Select Pinot noir blocks for this wine were harvested across the vineyard under blue skies October 4, 2017
This combination of Dijon 777, Dijon 667, and Wadenswil selections was entirely barrel fermented in French oak sourced from the Billon, Sirugue, and Cadus cooperages with emphasis on the Troncais and Allier forests.
Total elevage was ten months with 22% new French oak. Bottling occurred August 27, 2018 with a final alcohol of 14.2%.
473 case production
| Vintage | 2017 |
| Varietal | Pinot noir |
| Varietal Composition | 30% Dijon 777, 27% Dijon 667 and 43% Wadenswil |
| Appellation | Yamhill-Carlton |
| Vineyard | Fairsing Vineyard |
| Designation | Matriarch Pinot noir |
| Harvest Date | 10/02/2017 |
| Acid | 6.6 |
| PH | 3.35 |
| Aging | 10 months 30% new French oak |
| Alcohol | 14.20% |
| Volume | 750 ml |
| Bottling Date | 08/27/2018 |
| Cases Produced | 473 |
Limpid magenta. Intense aromas of dark berries, candied flowers, exotic spices and mocha are joined by vanilla and musky earth nuances that build as the wine opens up. Deeply concentrated but energetic as well, offering juicy black raspberry, cherry cola, candied rose and spicecake flavors that show fine definition and back-end lift. Finishes impressively long and smoky, with harmonious tannins and resonating floral and spice qualities.
93 Points - Vinous, August 2020
The 2017 Pinot Noir Sullivan has a medium ruby color and an inviting nose of rose petal, licorice, crushed cranberries, red cherry jam, tangerine peel and an undercurrent of fragrant earth. Light to medium-bodied, it's delicate but concentrated with a firm, grainy frame and great freshness, finishing long and perfumed. Yum! 470 cases produced.
91 Rating - Wine Advocate - Erin Brooks, April 2020
Attractive oak spice, some meaty nuances and plenty of deeply ripe red cherries on offer here. This has a smooth, raspberry and wild cherry-focused palate and zippy acidity to close it out. Drink now.
92 Points - JamesSuckling.com, July 2019
Fairsing Vineyard is managed sustainably in Oregon’s Yamhill- Carlton American Viticulture Area (AVA) with 38 acres of Pinot noir and five acres of Chardonnay in production.
The vineyard is nestled inside an 80-acre Certified Family Forest distinguished by biodiversity, varied topography, and panoramic views of the Northern Willamette Valley.
Fairsing Vineyard is a certified member of the Low Input Viticulture and Enology (LIVE) Association, the Salmon Safe program and the American Tree Farm System.
Robert Brittan completed his education at UC Davis and moved to Napa Valley, where he crafted wines for Far Niente, Saint Andrews among others. After 16 years as Winemaker and Estate Manager with Stags’ Leap, Robert headed north to fulfill his dream of making Pinot noir and Syrah from unique sites in cooler climates.
With over 40 years experience tending grape vines and crafting wines, Robert is the consulting winemaker for select vineyards in the Northern Willamette Valley.
Since 2012 Robert and his team have been crafting wines for Fairsing that are distinctive and expressive of the property. Robert's enthusiasm for the varied exposures, geology, micro-climates, and selections across Fairsing Vineyard is reflected in his site-driven wines. Robert feels Pinot noir and Chardonnay lend themselves to many wonderful interpretations, depending on the soils and microclimates where they are grown.
