2017 Kenney Pinot noir 1.5
Fairsing Vineyard honors Mike McNally's mother, Claire Kenney McNally, with the addition of our Kenney Pinot noir to our Matriarch Series of distinct estate wines.
On the nose, tobacco and herbal aromas open to sleek layers of black raspberry, dusky clove, and ripe plum. Savory minerality with toasted spice and forest floor notes evolve midpalate and finish with broad and polished tannins.
A Dynamic and structured compilation, this inaugural bottling is crafted from Dijon 114 (87%) and Wadenswil (13%) from blocks within the southeast portion of the vineyard. This wine was barrel fermented in select oak barrels sourced specifically for our Matriarch Series Pinot program.
Total elevage was ten months wtih 25% new French oak before bottling in August 2018 with a final alcohol of 14.1%.
Refined and elegant now, this wine will age beautifully in the cellar through 2028.
91+ Rating - Wine Advocate, 91 Points - Wine Enthusiast
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.
Select Pinot noir blocks were harvested across the vineyard under blue skies October 4, 2017
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%.
| Vintage | 2017 |
| Varietal | Pinot noir |
| Varietal Composition | 87% Djon 114 and 13% Wadenswil |
| Appellation | Yamhill-Carlton AVA |
| Vineyard | Fairsing Vineyard |
| Harvest Date | 10/04/2017 |
| Acid | 6.1 |
| PH | 3.47 |
| Aging | 10 months new French oak |
| Alcohol | 14.10% |
| Volume | 1.5 liter |
| Bottling Date | 08/27/2018 |
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 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.
Wine maker Robert Brittan's extensive winemaking experience ensures Fairsing Vineyard wines reflect the abundant beauty and complexity of the estate.
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.
