New Releases from Fielding Hills, 2009 Vintage



By Kori ~ March 12th, 2012.

Fielding Hills Winery, a small, family-owned winery in Wenatchee, is one of the top wineries in Washington State. Owner/winemaker Mike Wade and his wife Karen are longtime apple and cherry growers who have turned a middle portion of their orchard near Mattawa into a vineyard. Their RiverBend Vineyard, planted in 1998, is in the Wahluke Slope AVA and is their sole source of grapes. Strictly red wine producers, Fielding Hills increased their production from 850 cases to about 1400 cases with the 2009 vintage. We have tasted their wines from their inaugural vintage in 2000 through their soon-to-be-released 2009 vintage and continue to be impressed. They are so consistent; it is not a question of whether their wines will be good but where they will fall on the quality spectrum between “very good” and “Wow!” In fact, we recognized Mike Wade as Best Winemaker in our Wine Peeps’ Best of 2009 in Washington Wine Country.

Recently, we had the opportunity to taste all five new releases from Fielding Hills, which will be released this Saturday, March 17th, in a blind samples tasting.  All five of these new releases are quite impressive. The 2009 Cabernet Sauvignon and 2009 Syrah received 4.5 stars (out of 5), and the 2009 Merlot, 2009 Tribute, and 2009 Cabernet Franc received 4 stars (out of 5).

If you are ever in the Wenatchee area, Fielding Hills is a stop you do not want to miss. I encourage you to give Mike and Karen a call to make an appointment to visit the winery. And regardless of whether you are able to visit or not, try to get your hands on a bottle or two of Fielding Hills wine and enjoy.

2009 Fielding Hills Cabernet Sauvignon (RiverBend Vineyard, Wahluke Slope, Washington): 92% Cabernet Sauvignon, 4% Syrah, 2% Cabernet Franc, and 2% Merlot. Dark purplish red. Gorgeous nose with aromas of black fruit, rainforest, and floral notes. More black fruits and rainforest as well as spice come through on the palate. Full-bodied with crisp acidity and high, dry tannins. Big, bold, and very complex. Well-balanced with a long, lingering finish.
Quality: 4.5 stars (out of 5)
QPR: 5 bangs for your buck (out of 5)
Where to buy: Received as sample, suggested retail $42

2009 Fielding Hills Syrah (RiverBend Vineyard, Wahluke Slope, Washington): 94% Syrah, 2% Cabernet Sauvignon, 2% Merlot, and 2% Cabernet Franc. Dark purple. Beautiful aromas of black cherry, blackberry, fresh vegetables, and nasturtiums come through on the nose while black fruits, spice, and molasses dominate the palate. Medium to full-bodied with good acidity and medium to high tannins. Well-balanced with good complexity, and a long, lingering finish.
Quality: 4.5 stars (out of 5)
QPR: 5 bangs for your buck (out of 5)
Where to buy: Received as sample, suggested retail $38

2009 Fielding Hills Merlot (RiverBend Vineyard, Wahluke Slope, Washington): 94% Merlot, 4% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 2% Syrah. Deep, dark red. Aromatic with blackberry, black plum, nutmeg, and licorice on both the nose and palate. Medium to full-bodied with lively acidity and medium to high tannins. Well-balanced with a very long finish.
Quality: 4 stars (out of 5)
QPR: 4 bangs for your buck (out of 5)
Where to buy: Received as sample, suggested retail $36

2009 Fielding Hills Tribute Red Wine (RiverBend Vineyard, Wahluke Slope, Washington): 31% Cabernet Franc, 30% Syrah, 20% Merlot, and 19% Cabernet Sauvignon. Dark red. Nose is a bit tight at first and then cocoa and oak aromas come through. Luscious black cherry, plum, and blackberry coat the palate along with cocoa and a touch of smoke. Medium to full-bodied with lively acidity and medium to high tannins. Well-balanced with a very long finish.
Quality: 4 stars (out of 5)
QPR: 4 bangs for your buck (out of 5)
Where to buy: Received as sample, suggested retail $32

2009 Fielding Hills Cabernet Franc (RiverBend Vineyard, Wahluke Slope, Washington): 90% Cabernet Franc, 5% Syrah, 3% Merlot, and 2% Cabernet Sauvignon. Deep, dark red. Aromatic with black cherry, raspberry, and cinnamon on the nose. Black cherry, cherry cola, and spice come through on the palate. Medium to full-bodied with crisp acidity, and medium to high, drying tannins. Well-balanced with good complexity and a long finish.
Quality: 4 stars (out of 5)
QPR: 3 bangs for your buck (out of 5)
Where to buy: Received as sample, suggested retail $30


Filed under: American Wine, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Five-Bangs For Your Buck Wines, Merlot, Red Wine, Shiraz/Syrah, Washington State Wine, Wines Over $25

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