March 22, 2020 - tired but enjoyable
July 28, 2016 - Very nice and drinking well right now. Still holding up.
July 12, 2015 - Minty, tannic & ripe with plenty of graphite. Would have guessed Cabernet Sauvignon. Lacking any fruit and may be past its peak? Dunno. This does open up a little with time and develops some brown sugar character. Pairs well with steak.
March 30, 2013 - Decanted for 30 minutes. Nose of alcohol and baking spice. On the palate it seemed at first as if the bottle was past its prime. It eventually turned into tart and ripe fruit, with mild vanilla. It was better with food.
September 21, 2011 - Really good with bright fruit and lengthy finish
August 25, 2010 - Excellent bottle of wine
April 5, 2010 - Thiis is as good as NA Merlot get...except Lewis. Great nose of dark berries and toasty oak. Spices with the black cherry on the palate and finish. Smooth creamy feeling finish.
March 25, 2010 - 2006 Fielding Hills Merlot
•The Stuff: Single vineyard Wahluke Slope AVA, 80% Merlot 11% Cab 9% Syrah, aged 19 months in 77% new oak, 14.3%abv, 163 cases
•The Swirl: Dark plum with beautiful jewel tones toward the edges. Mostly opaque
•The Sniff: Overwhelming aromas of cherry, smoke, and hints of spicy bacon. Amazed at how aroma profile changes as it comes through the nose.
•The Sip: A mouthful of joy! The black cherry fruit skips across your tongue and then transforms into undertones of smooth violet perfume, that then release themselves to cocoa flavors. The acidic finish brings a nice wash across the back of the mouth as the finish lingers for eternity.
•The Score: At $36, I score this wine a 4+ (out of 5) and would easily buy it again and again. The balance between complexity, flavor, and drinkability are impeccable.
August 20, 2009 - Deep purple color... strong brooding aromas of roasted plums and underbrush. In the mouth beautiful weight and creamy density with dark plum and cherry flavors featuring a caramel-burnt sugar aspect in the mid-palate, leading to a long, spicy and smoky finish. The oak was predominant at first, but gradually gave way to an intriguing musty forrest character later in the evening. Also, a brighter tomato skin mid-palate presence emerged over time. Delicious.