I have long admired the wines by Robert Brittan, former winemaker at Stags’ Leap Winery in Napa. Brittan is a former graduate of the UC Davis Viticulture and Enology program and founded Brittan Vineyards in 2004, acquiring a 128-acre hillside property with soils that are a mixture of glacial deposits and volcanic material, with a predominant presence of broken basalt. There is nothing quite like this rustic, stony property in the Willamette Valley — only a few others have vines set like this.
The stony nuance in the wines is just mesmerizing. The Brittan Estate Vineyard has Pinot Noir planted as well as 4 acres of Chardonnay and 1.5 acres of Syrah have been planted. In addition to his own wines, Brittan serves as the winemaker for several other brands.
The new Cru wines come from the 2021 vintage, one that was warm and exceptionally good throughout the Willamette Valley. I adore the new 2021 Brittan Vineyards ‘Basalt Block’ Pinot Noir (OB, 96) which is wonderfully stony and is amongst the finest of these wines made. Learn more about the great wines of Brittan Vineyards at http://www.brittanvineyards.com Here are the brilliant releases by Brittan Vineyards.
2022 Brittan Vineyards ‘Estate’ Pinot Noir- The 2022 Brittan Vineyards ‘Estate’ Pinot Noir offers ash and stony essence on the nose alongside red rose petals, orange peel and suggestions of menthol. The palate is fresh and concentrated with vibrant underlying acidity. Showing good weight and length, this beauty has a long way to go in the cellar. Drink 2024-2036- 93
2021 Brittan Vineyards ‘Basalt Block’ Pinot Noir- A stunning wine, the 2022 ‘Basalt Block’ is comes from estate Pommard and Dijon clone 667, 777, 115 and Swan clonal selection Pinot Noir vines. Stored for 12 months in only 15% new French oak, this is very inky in the glass. Boysenberry and iodine tones combine with smoldering stones, forest floor and shades of cardamom laced orange zest. The heady aromatics bring you back to the glass for more enjoyment. The palate is fresh and polished with a fantastic sense of verve and richness. Thrilling with its stony profile and bright underlying acidity with a seamless texture, enjoy this beauty now and over the next fifteen years to come. Drink 2024-2040- 96
2021 Brittan Vineyards ‘Cygnus Block’ Pinot Noir- The 2021 ‘Cygnus Block’ comes from this southeast facing edge in the Brittan Estate Vineyard that was planted in 2008 to Swan selection. Once on the nose this exudes class with white pepper dusted huckleberry, marionberry, peat moss and suggestions of wet stone. The palate is soft and refined throughout the drinking experience. Showing no rough edges with a brilliant core of black fruits and stony minerals, this is a downright classy Pinot Noir that has a long life ahead of it. Enjoy this medium to full-bodied beauty now and over the next fifteen plus years. Drink 2024-2040- 96