Fielding Hills Merlot 06

2006 Wine Spectator - 93 points - Ripe, round and generous, this sumptuous wine offers layers of gorgeous blackberry and black cherry flavors, hinting at toast and spice on the creamy-textured finish. Drink now through 2014. 163 cases made".

Merlot skeptics look out: Fielding Hills makes a real head-turner of a Merlot. Unusually rich and full-bodied, the dark red cherry and tobacco aromas beckon you into the glass. Gushing plums and cherries mix with peppery barrel spice and succulent, slightly earthy red fruit fruit on the savory finish, lasting nearly a minute. Magnificent Merlot.

2005 Vintage Tasting Notes

The Fielding Hills 2005 Merlot is an unusually lively Merlot, a great food wine, yet rich and full bodied. Scents are of barrel spice and black cherry fruit, sweet pie cherry, red raspberry and a hint of pie spice. Different than most Merlots- sweet red plum, pie cherry, and rasrpberry dominate the fruit flavors. The finish shows soft barrel toast and white pepper. Tannins are soft, in balance with a bright acidity held in check by a luxuriant intensity.

From the winery: "A gorgeous dried potpourri nose leads the way to flavors of cranberry, flowers and milk chocolate on the palate. The bright acidity keeps these flavors dancing along to the finish. An agile merlot that will compliment a wide variety of food pairings."

85% Merlot, 9% Syrah, 5% Cabernet Sauvignon, & 1% Cabernet Franc

2005 from the winery: "A gorgeous dried potpourri nose leads the way to flavors of cranberry, flowers and milk chocolate on the palate. The bright acidity keeps these flavors dancing along to the finish. An agile merlot that will compliment a wide variety of food pairings."

85% Merlot, 9% Syrah, 5% Cabernet Sauvignon, & 1% Cabernet Franc

2004 Vintage Tasting Notes

2004 Wine Spectator - 90 points - Ripe and focused, with gorgeous blackberry and currant flavors on a silky frame, lingering with hints of tobacco as the finish sails on nicely. Drink now through 2011. 106 cases made. - H.S.

2004 Wine Enthusiast - 94 points - A blend of 76% Merlot, 12% Syrah, 11% Cabernet Sauvignon, & 1% Cabernet Franc, aged 19 months in a combination of American and French oak. Outstanding Merlot that combines plush, appealing fruit with a strong backbone perfectly integrated with Fielding's characteristic toasted coca bean/espresso bean and black fruit flavors. 106 cases made.