2017 Kenney Pinot noir
A dynamic and structured compilation from blocks within the southeast portion of the vineyard. We honored Mike McNally's mother, Claire Kenney McNally with this bottling.
On the nose, tobacco and herbal aromas open to sleekly layered black raspberry, dusky clove, and ripe plum. Savory minerality with toasted spice and forest floor notes evolve midpalate and the finish features broad and polished tannins.
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
Select Pinot noir blocks were harvested across the vineyard under blue skies October 4, 2017.
Elevage
This combination of Dijon 114 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 25% new French oak. Bottling occurred August 27, 2018 with a final alcohol of 14.1%.
Limited production of 308 cases
Delightful now, this wine will cellar well through 2026
| Vintage | 2017 |
| Varietal | Pinot noir |
| Varietal Composition | 87% Dijon 114 and 13% Wadenswil |
| Appellation | Yamhill-Carlton |
| Vineyard | Fairsing Vineyard |
| Designation | Matriarch Pinot noir |
| Harvest Date | 10/04/2017 |
| Acid | 6.1 |
| PH | 3.47 |
| Aging | 10 months new French oak |
| Alcohol | 14.10% |
| Volume | 750 ml |
| Bottling Date | 08/27/2018 |
| Cases Produced | 308 |
Medium ruby, the 2017 Pinot Noir Kenney has fresh scents of cranberries, red cherries and blueberries with perfumed accents of granite, violets, citrus peel and potpourri. Light to medium-bodied, it offers good fruit intensity, with a grainy frame and juicy freshness on the long, perfumed finish. 300 cases produced.
91 Rating - Wine Advocate, Erin Brooks, April 2020
The best of Fairsing's 2017 Pinots, at least for the moment, this brings penetrating raspberry fruit, highlights of orange peel and acidity that convey an astringent minerality. Aging in one-quarter new French oak lengthens the finish, adding notes of ash, tobacco and sweet spice.
91 Points - Wine Enthusiast, October 2019
Fairsing Vineyard is managed sustainably in Oregon’s Willamette Valley 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, the American Tree Farm System and are signatories of the Willamette Valley Oak Accord.
A veteran of the wine industry since the early 1970’s, Robert Brittan began his wine career in the Central Valley of California.
Robert attended the University of California at Davis, graduating with a degree in Fermentation Science in 1981. While in California, Robert crafted wines for Far Niente Winery, St. Andrews Vineyard and Stags’ Leap Winery. After a 16 year career with Stags’ Leap Winery as Winemaker and Estate Manager, Robert and wife Ellen Brittan headed north to fulfill a dream of making Pinot noir and Syrah from unique sites in a cooler climate.
Since moving to Oregon, Robert manages his own vineyard and crafts wines for Brittan Vineyards while serving as consulting winemaker for select vineyards in the Northern Willamette Valley.
A firm believer that wines are much more compelling as they age, Robert is committed to a minimalist winemaking style and partners with exceptional vineyard sites to craft wines that cellar beautifully.
Since 2012, Robert and his team have been crafting wines for Fairsing that are distinctive to the property. Robert’s enthusiasm for the varied exposures, geology, micro-climates, and selections across Fairsing Vineyard is reflected in his site-expressive wines.
