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 current 2010 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!”

We have had the opportunity to taste all five current releases from Fielding Hills on three different occasions. Dad (John) and Mom (LaGayle) attended the 2010 vintage release dinner in November, Dad and I had them in another tasting in January, and most recently, we tasted them again in a blind samples tasting. Over the course of the seven months since they were first released, these wines continue to evolve and are getting even better.

Fielding Hills has done it again. We were “wow-ed” by the 2010 Cabernet Sauvignon, rating it 5 stars (out of 5). The four other current releases from Fielding Hills are also quite impressive. The 2010 Cabernet Franc and 2010 Syrah received 4.5 stars (out of 5), and the 2010 Merlot and 2010 Tribute Red Wine 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. Within the next year, Fielding Hills has plans to open a tasting room in Lake Chelan. Regardless of whether you are able to visit or not, I encourage you to get your hands on a bottle or two of Fielding Hills wine and enjoy.

2010 Fielding Hills Cabernet Sauvignon (RiverBend Vineyard, Wahluke Slope, Washington): 91% Cabernet Sauvignon, 4% Syrah, 3% Merlot, and 2% Cabernet Franc. Dark, dense purple. Gorgeous nose with black cherry, blackberry, spice, and leather aromas. Black cherry, blackcurrant, spice, and leather come through on the palate. Full-bodied with crisp acidity and high, dry tannins. Well-balanced and smooth with good complexity and a very long, lingering finish. Wow!
Quality: 5 stars (out of 5)
QPR: 5 bangs for your buck (out of 5)
Where to buy: Received as sample, suggested retail $42

2010 Fielding Hills Cabernet Franc (RiverBend Vineyard, Wahluke Slope, Washington): 85% Cabernet Franc, 5% Syrah, 5% Merlot, and 5% Cabernet Sauvignon. Deep, dark red in color. Beautiful nose black cherry, cinnamon, and clove aromas. Black cherry, cinnamon, and clove come through on the palate. Full-bodied with crisp acidity, and high, dry tannins. Well-balanced and smooth with a long finish.
Quality: 4.5 stars (out of 5)
QPR: 4 bangs for your buck (out of 5)
Where to buy: Received as sample, suggested retail $30

2010 Fielding Hills Syrah (RiverBend Vineyard, Wahluke Slope, Washington): 94% Syrah, 2% Cabernet Sauvignon, 2% Merlot, and 2% Cabernet Franc. Dark, dense purple. Gorgeous nose with blackberry, spice, and black pepper aromas. More blackberry, spice, and black pepper come through on the palate. Full-bodied with lively acidity and high, dry tannins. Well-balanced with a very long, smooth 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

2010 Fielding Hills Merlot (RiverBend Vineyard, Wahluke Slope, Washington): 93% Merlot, 4% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 3% Syrah. Deep, dark purplish red. Aromatic with black cherry and spice rack aromas and flavors. Medium to full-bodied with lively acidity and medium to high, smooth 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

2010 Fielding Hills Tribute Red Wine (RiverBend Vineyard, Wahluke Slope, Washington): 31% Cabernet Franc, 30% Syrah, 20% Merlot, and 19% Cabernet Sauvignon. Dark purplish red. Nice nose with black fruit and spice aromas. Black cherry, blackberry, spice, and oak come through on the palate. Medium to full-bodied with lively acidity and medium to high tannins. Well-balanced and smooth with a long, lingering 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

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