2017 Fairsing Pinot noir
With a warmth-like quality, inviting aromas of blood orange, spiced cherry, soft violets and cocoa emanate from the glass. This wine features rich. lush color and flavors of fresh-picked blackberry, herbaceous evergreen rosemary and finishes with a nibble of red licorice.
The 2017 Fairsing Vineyard Pinot noir represents the entire 42-acres under vine with select fruit from across varying vineyard blocks. This bottling includes Pommard, Wadenswil, and Dijon 114 selections.
Vintage
The 2017 growing season began with record-breaking rain, our weather station recorded a total of 58 inches of rain from October 1, 2016 through April 1 of 2017.
Bud break occurred slightly later than average on April 27 and was followed by steady early growth and cool temperatures
The vineyard began to bloom in mid June and late summer temperatures increased the degree day accumulations to a total of 2450.
Harvest
Fruit for this wine was harvested October 4, 2017 under sunny skies.
Elevage
This wine fermented in two-ton fermenters and before being moved to barrels, 18% of which were new French oak sourced from the Billon, Sirugue, and Cadus cooperages with emphasis on the Troncais and Allier forests.
Barrel-aged 10 months, bottling occurred August 27, 2018 with a final alcohol of 14.2%.
Case production 1,520
Beautiful now, this wine will cellar well through 2026.
| Vintage | 2017 |
| Varietal | Pinot noir |
| Varietal Composition | 33% Pommard, 57% Wadensvil, 10% Dijon 114 |
| Appellation | Yamhill-Carlton AVA |
| Vineyard | Fairsing Vineyard |
| Designation | Pinot noir |
| Harvest Date | 10/04/2017 |
| Acid | 5.8 |
| PH | 3.55 |
| Aging | 10 months, 18% new French oak |
| Alcohol | 14.20% |
| Volume | 750 ml |
| Bottling Date | 08/28/2018 |
| Cases Produced | 1502 |
94 Points - JamesSuckling.com
"Impressive, complex, spicy aromas with vibrant red cherries at the core, leading to a very smoothly arranged palate that carries a fresh, lithe and juicy feel. Long, succulent and handsomely defined finish. Drink or hold."
- July 2019
91 Points - Vinous
"Brilliant ruby-red. Powerful aromas of red and dark berry preserves, baking spices and candied rose take on a vanilla nuance as the wine opens up. Fleshy and broad in the mouth but lively as well, offering sappy black raspberry and boysenberry flavors and a hint of cola. Finishes seamless and very long, with an echo of juicy blue fruit and harmonious tannins that add subtle grip. 18% new French oak."
- Josh Raynolds, August 2020
91 Points - Wine Spectator
"Generous and plump, with fresh strawberry and cherry flavors that draw in hints of cinnamon and floral spice, gliding along a sleek finish. Drink now through 2026."
- February 2020
Fairsing Vineyard is managed sustainably in Oregon's Yamhill-Carlton American Viticulture Area (AVA) with 38 acres of Pinot noir and two acres of Chardonnay in production. 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.
No pesticides or persistent herbicides are utilized on our 170 acre site.
Our vineyard has a diverse ecosystem, including 80 acres dedicated to a Certified Family Forest. The site is a micro watershed with numerous streams supplying Chehalem Creek. Green reserves adjacent to the vineyard blocks are maintained to enhance biodiversity.
Robert Brittan completed his education at UC Davis and moved to Napa Valley, where he crafted wines for Far Niente, Saint Andrews and Stags’ Leap Winery. After a 16 year career with Stags’ Leap Winery as Winemaker and Estate Manager, 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.
