2018 Fairsing Pinot noir 1.5
The early months of the 2018 growing season were mild and drier than normal, followed by a cool and wet March. Bud break was noted in mid-April with warm temperatures that accelerated growth.
Early fall weather proved ideal with rain waiting until October providing a prolonged harvest window. We harvested our Pinot Noir vines under clear skies on September 28, 2018.
This complex blend of Pommard, Wadenswil, Dijon 777, 115 and 114 selections barrel fermented 10 months in 23% new French oak before bottling August 29, 2019 with a final alcohol of 13.8%.
Luxurious and balanced now, this wine will cellar gracefully through 2027.
93 Points - James Suckling
VINTAGE
The early month of the 2018 growing season were mild and drier than normal, followed by a cool and wet March. Bud break begn in mid-April with warm temperatures that accelerated growth.
We observed bloom in mid-June with véraison mid-August and the summer continued as one of the driest in recent history.
September cooled down nicely which allowed the sugars and acids to hold steady while flavors developed to their full potential.
HARVEST
Early fall weather proved ideal with rain waiting until October providing a prolonged harvest window. We harvested our Pinot Noir vines under clear skies on September 28, 2018.
ELEVAGE
This wine fermented in two-ton fermenters and before being moved to barrels, 23% 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 29, 2019 with a final alcohol of 13.8%.
Case production 2,016
Beautiful now, this wine will cellar well through 2027.
| Vintage | 2018 |
| Varietal | Pinot noir |
| Varietal Composition | Pommard (50%) Dijon 777(20%) Wadesvile (20%) Dijon 115 (7%) and Dijon 114 (3%) |
| Appellation | Yamhill-Carlton AVA |
| Vineyard | Fairsing Vineyard |
| Harvest Date | 09/28/2018 |
| Acid | 6.1 |
| PH | 3.52 |
| Aging | 10 months in new French oak |
| Alcohol | 13.80% |
| Volume | 1.5 liter |
| Bottling Date | 08/29/2019 |
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.
Fairsing 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 left Stags’ Leap Winery in Napa after 16 years as Winemaker and Estate Manager to fulfill his dream of making Pinot Noir and Syrah from unique sites in cooler climates. He completed his education at UC Davis and moved to Napa Valley, where he made wines for Far Niente, Saint Andrews and Stags’ Leap Winery.
With over 40 years of experience growing grapes and making wine, he brings a significant amount of viticultural and winemaking knowledge. Robert began making wine for Fairsing Vineyard in 2012 and feels that Pinot noir and Chardonnay lend themselves to many wonderful interpretations, depending on the soils and microclimates where they are grown.
