January Wine of the Month

Our Wine of the Month for January 2018 is the 2016 Fields Family Wines Syrah The Whole Cluster.

Fields Family Wines is a small family owned and operated winery.  It is owned by Russ Fields (an Attorney by day) and his wife Melinda.  Winemaker Ryan Sherman (a Realtor by day) and his wife Jaylynn are partners in the winery.  Fields and Sherman met in 2004 when Fields was looking to purchase a vineyard, and Sherman helped him with his search.

Sherman was not so gently pushed into winemaking by Fields, given his passion for food and wine and his prior life in Pharmaceuticals.  He is self-taught and self-trained as a winemaker.

Fields purchased a certified organic vineyard planted to Syrah in 2005 and immediately got to work on the restoration of the property, and construction of the winery, the main House and second residence. Today, the Fields Family Estate vineyard is planted to Syrah, Mourvèdre, Tempranillo, Grenache Blanc, and Vermentino.

Fruit for the 2016 Fields Family Wines Syrah The Whole Cluster was sourced from the Fields Family estate vineyard in the Mokelumne River AVA.  It was harvested into macro-bins, then lightly food treated one or two times a day.  It went through 100% whole cluster, semi-carbonic native fermentation.  Thereafter, it was pressed into neutral French Oak barrels after 7 months to capture its vibrancy and freshness.  Whole cluster, semi-carbonic fermentation adds depth, complexity and a lush creamy mouthfeel to the wine.

Tasting notes

The wine pours a brilliant ruby color with aromas of black and red cherry, plum skin, dried lay laurel, white pepper with an alluring hint of lavender.  On the palate it’s medium-bodied and elegant with mouth-watering acidity, velvety tannins, and a supple texture. It’s bursting with tart macerated raspberry, red cherry liqueur, black cherry, spiced plum flavors with a nice touch of savoriness, and a very appetizing and satisfying finish. SRP – $25| 12.5% abv

Pair with: This wine’s acidity makes it very friendly at the table.  Pair with gouda or cheddar cheese, grilled lamb, pulled pork, cassoulet, grilled eggplant parmesan or vegetarian chili.