2019 Fairsing Pinot noir
Harvested September 21, 2019, this wine fermented in two-ton fermenters and then moved to barrels, 20% of which were new French oak. This wine aged in barrel 10 months and was bottled August 26, 2020.
Our 2019 Fairsing Pinot noir represents the entire 42-acre vineyard and contains fruit from across our rolling hillsides. Selections included in this bottling; Pommard, Dijon 777, Wadenswil, Dijon 115, and Dijon 114 with a final alcohol of 14.5%.
There is a hallmark depth to this Pinot noir - a reflection of the diversity of the estate. With savory notes and plummy fruit flavors, the tannins and texture are velvety and memorable. A lovely wine now, this wine is destined for elegant development in the cellar (92 Points - JamesSuckling.com)
VINTAGE
The 2019 growing season was the coolest since 2011 and, after multiple warm years, was very welcome. The season began with a mild January followed by freezing temperatures in February.
Bud break was observed in the last week of April and bloom was pushed by a two-day heat spike in mid-June.
We experienced periodic rain all summer, with over two inches of rain in early September.
HARVEST
Following the September rain, temperatures cooled allowing sugar and acid levels to stabilize and flavors to fully develop before harvest. Harvest of select Pinot noir blocks began under blue skies September 21.
ELEVAGE
This combination of Pommard, Wadenswil, and Dijon 777, 115, and 114 selections was barrel fermented in French oak sourced from a variety of coopers with an emphasis on the Troncais and Allier forests.
Total elevage was ten months with 20% new French oak and a final alcohol of 13.1%
Case production 620
Beautiful now, this wine will cellar well through 2030.
| Vintage | 2019 |
| Varietal | Pinot noir |
| Varietal Composition | Pommard (48%), Wadensvil (13%), Dijon 777 (10%) Dijon 115 (20%) and Dijon 114 (9%) |
| Appellation | Yamhill-Carlton AVA |
| Vineyard | Fairsing Vineyard |
| Designation | Pinot noir |
| Harvest Date | 09/21/2019 |
| Acid | 6.1 |
| PH | 3.43 |
| Aging | 10 months, 20% new French oak |
| Alcohol | 13.10% |
| Volume | 750 ml |
| Bottling Date | 08/26/2020 |
| Cases Produced | 620 |
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.
