2021 Fairsing Chardonnay 1.5
Delicate garden blooms on the nose welcome a melody of lemon chiffon, juicy pear, and marzipan with flinty nuances.
Refreshing acidity and round mouthfeel carry through to a lingering finish.
Vintage
The 2021 growing season was 8% warmer than normal. Temperatures were slightly below average in the critical months of fruit development and during the vital weeks of ripening. Although the Willamette Valley experienced record-breaking heat in late June, we received rain just prior to the heat event which hydrated the vines and prevented damage.
Harvest
We experienced typical budbreak in the third week of April and bloom began on June 4. Verásion was well underway by August 12 and harvest for our Chardonnay program began September 9. After 100 days of drought, the rains necessary for rejuvenating the vineyard began September 18, one day after harvest of the full vineyard was complete.
Elevage
This combination of Dijon clones 76, 95, and 96 with Entav 548 selections 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 24, 2022 with a final alcohol of 13.6%.
Case production 305 / 6 magnums
Delightful now, this wine will cellar well through 2029.
| Vintage | 2021 |
| Varietal | Chardonnay |
| Varietal Composition | Dijon 95 (30%) and Dijon 76 (9%) Dijon 96 (35%) and Entav 548 (26%) |
| Appellation | Yamhill-Carlton |
| Vineyard | Fairsing Vineyard |
| Designation | Chardonnay |
| Harvest Date | 09/09/2021 |
| Acid | 5.6 g/L |
| PH | 3.31 |
| Aging | 10 months in 25% new French oak |
| Alcohol | 13.60% |
| Volume | 1.5 liter |
| Bottling Date | 08/24/2022 |
| Cases Produced | 1 (6 bottlers) |
"This is vivid and crunchy, with aromas of meyer lemons, ripe pears, savory herbs, jasmine and cream. Medium- to full-bodied, broad and structured, but delicate and sleek, Fresh and attractive acidity cuts through the polished texture and creamy finish." Drink or hold.
93 Points, Jamessuckling.com
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 crafted 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.
