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 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. We have tasted their wines from their inaugural vintage in 2000 through their current 2011 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!”

Well, last weekend, we were “wow”-ed once again. In my opinion, the 2009 Fielding Hills Estate Barrel Select Syrah is the best wine that Mike Wade has ever made. Beginning with the 2009 vintage, Mike held back his best barrel of each variety to make, in essence, a reserve wine.

“One vineyard, one variety, one barrel, and one vintage. With pinpoint purity and razor-sharp exactness, the rich and full bodied character of this unique varietal is revealed. Enjoy the truth.” –Mike Wade, owner/winemaker

The bad news is that this wine is all sold out. However, I encourage you to keep an eye out for future releases from the Barrel Select program.

Last fall, Fielding Hills opened a beautiful new tasting room in Chelan and also moved their winery production facilities there. If you are ever in the Lake Chelan area, Fielding Hills is a stop you do not want to miss.

2009 Fielding Hills Estate Barrel Select Syrah (RiverBend Vineyard, Wahluke Slope, Washington): 100% Syrah. Dark, dense purple in color. Gorgeous nose with black cherry, blackberry, and earthy aromas. More blackberry, black cherry, and a velvety creaminess explodes on the palate. Full-bodied with lively acidity and smooth, silky tannins. Extremely well-balanced with amazing 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: Winery, $60 [Sold out]

Filed under: American Wine, Five-Bangs For Your Buck Wines, Five-Star Quality Wines, Red Wine, Shiraz/Syrah, Washington State Wine, Wines Over $25