2022 Fairsing Chardonnay 1.5
A vibrant and charismatic Chardonnay.
Delicate early spring blooms on the nose and golden crown hue. Lemon buttercream and warm puff pastry flavors mingle on a juicy frame.
There is a lively and fresh thread of acidity and hints of minerality across the palate building to a generous finish.
Meticulously crafted from Dijon selections, this is a harmonious and balanced Chardonnay.
Vintage
The 2022 growing season included many ups, downs, and the surprises Mother Nature always provides. The Willamette Valley experienced an unexpected frost and snow event on April 11. Thankfully, our vines were not at the budbreak stage and endured minimal tissue damage. The following two weeks were unusually cool, which further delayed budbreak and grapevine growth.
May and June continued to be cool and wet. Fairsing reached 90 degrees in late June and that was a turning point from cool and wet weather to hot and dry.
We experienced bloom in early July and the summer progressed with warm, dry conditions. The late growing season resulted in ideal conditions for final fruit development with cool days and longer nights.
Harvest
We harvested select Chardonnay blocks September 28 with glorious weather, immaculate fruit, and high yields.
Elevage
This combination of Entav 548 and Dijon 95, 76, and 96 selections was barrel fermented 11 months in 28% new French oak to an alcohol of 13.6% before bottling August 24, 2023.
| Vintage | 2022 |
| Varietal | Chardonnay |
| Varietal Composition | 36% Dijon 95
34% Entav 548
15% Dijon 76
15% Dijon 96 |
| Appellation | Yamhill-Carlton |
| Vineyard | Fairsing Vineyard |
| Designation | Chardonnay |
| Harvest Date | 09/28/2022 |
| Acid | 6.6 |
| PH | 3.2 |
| Aging | 11 months, 28% new French oak |
| Alcohol | 13.60% |
| Volume | 1.5 liter |
| Bottling Date | 08/24/2023 |
| Cases Produced | 560 cases |
"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.
