May 20th was a warm sunny Thursday as I headed the Elantra for the Fielding Estate Winery (Map It!). There has been substantial growth on the vines since last visiting the Wine Route twenty days ago. From 2005 through 2007 I had enjoyed various Fielding wines but had not tried any since. More recently, I’ve been prompted by Head winemaker Richie Roberts' regular Tweets of his activities in and around the vineyards. It was time for a visit. .
This time of year Niagara wineries are continually monitoring for frost on unpredictable Spring nights. At Fielding several huge fans, solar powered somewhat and under control from the main house, are used to circulate air through the slopes of the escarpment. Dial a number… start a fan. The low spots give up their freezing temperatures as the air is encouraged to move on through. With the temperature at 22 degrees C on this day frost seems unlikely as young shoots do their best to soak up warmth and nourishment. (Click on photos for larger view)
I was fortunate to be the sole taster at the long bar... and for a charming hostess with whom to chat while she poured servings.
I came back with two Rieslings, a Pinot Gris and a white blend for more leisurely tasting. I choose wines with the Vintners Quality Alliance (VQA) label and having a sub-appellation, the more specific the better. In this case two of the wines use grapes from specific vineyards. Hopefully, over time, this will allow more of an insight into the many terroirs of the Niagara Peninsula.
.
The Fielding Estate is one of the seven wineries participating in the ’Graze the Bench’ event June 5th & 6th: Seven wineries, Seven chefs and Seven bands. Passports for this event are available at any of the seven: Hidden Bench, Rosewood, Peninsula Ridge, Thirty Bench, Organized Crime, Angel's Gate and Fielding.
When tasted wines will be sequenced by rating. Cheers, Ww
- Fielding Estate Rock Pile Pinot Gris 2009 VQA Lincoln Lakeshore, 94-2 -- O, Beamsville, Ontario, #Winery $25.95
- Fielding Estate White Conception 2008 VQA Niagara Peninsula, 90-2 -- O, Beamsville, Ontario, #Winery $18.95
- Fielding Estate Riesling 2008 VQA Beamsville Bench, 83 -- O, Beamsville, Ontario, #Winery $15.95
- Fielding Estate Lot No. 17 Riesling 2008 VQA Beamsville Bench, 83 -- O, Beamsville, Ontario, #Winery $24.95
.
TASTINGS:
.
FIELDING ESTATE ROCK PILE PINOT GRIS 2009 VQA Lincoln Lakeshore, Beamsville, Ontario, 13.0% D, #Winery $25.95 (Tasted June 10, 2010)
The tasting flyer describes this as “Light gold in colour, with aromas of fresh pear, ripe melon, raspberry tea, apple-cinnamon crumble and butter cream icing. Nice texture on the palate, good acidity, with fresh apple flavours on the finish.” My notes: Grapes from the Jack Rabbit Flats Vineyard (see story behind name on their website) leave a perfumed wild floral scent. The colour is an attractive blond and a swirl leaves a film with an evenly receding edge without tears. There’s a noticeable spice, a soft acid then full flavours of pear and apple carried through a long fresh finish. A Niagara Pinot Gris - not Italian or French - and a super sipper if you like fruit, spice and floral because they’re all present to the end - scrumptious. Have with Thai or Chinese, either seafood or vegetable tapas - not too spicy. Cellaring for a year or two shouldn’t be a problem but I’d rather sip, sip, sip (3 sips equal a quaff) on a shaded summer patio. Obviously I enjoyed it! 94
.
FIELDING ESTATE WHITE CONCEPTION 2008 VQA Niagara Peninsula, Beamsville, Ontario, 12.5% D, #Winery $18.95 (Tasted May 27, 2010)
.
The tasting flyer describes this as “A blend of 50% Pinot Gris, 21% Chardonnay Musqué, 18% Gewurztraminer, 6% Riesling and 5% Chardonnay. Concentrated and complex aromatics of nectarine, honeysuckle, poached pears, almond, orange zest, brioche and Chinese five-spice. Very good richness on the palate, solid acid backbone, and long spicy finish...to be enjoyed young up to four years.” My notes: Their first white blend and obviously a hit winning a Silver medal at the 2009 Intervin. I’d swear there’s a smidgeon of green - maybe not - in the light blond colour, aromas of peach, apple and field floral in the nose, a firm film evenly receding showing a few slow tears and a first sip that’s tangy with apricot, subtle apple then a touch of natural sugars and dry peach fuzz in the long finish. A medium-bodied blend that`s a social winner as well as a challenging parlour game picking out the varieties… or just enjoy with grilled seafoods. 90.
FIELDING ESTATE ‘LOT NO. 17’ RIESLING 2008 VQA Beamsville Bench, Beamsville, Ontario, 9.5% D, #Winery $24.95 (Tasted June 13, 2010)
The tasting flyer describes this as “Aromas of white grapefruit, mandarin orange, lime zest and peach preserves are complimented with subtle notes of lemon tea and honeysuckle. Concentrated flavours on the palate of lemon drops and nectarines, exceptional acidity, balanced sweetness, and a lengthy finish with vibrant minerality." My notes: There’s a hint of gold in a crystal clear white and more than a hint of mandarin orange and floral in a nose that takes time to develop. A swirl leaves an evenly receding thin film. Light-bodied, sweet edged and mild acid with flavours of delicate Malus domestica (Red Melba apple) added. A simple sipper easily quaffed either chilled or at room temperature. Did not pair well with roast chicken pieces and salads from Metro - perhaps at a social quaffed with finger foods/appetizers. Interesting but didn’t work for me. A drink now. 83
.
FIELDING ESTATE RIESLING 2008 VQA Niagara Peninsula, Beamsville, Ontario, 10.5% D, #Winery $15.95 (Tasted May 31, 2010)
.
The tasting flyer describes this as “Intense aromatics of candied lime, white peach, granny smith apple with floral and lemon zest notes. Exceptionally balanced with lively acidity, a touch of residual sugar and a verve of minerality running through the lengthy finish." My notes: A green cast blond with a delicate scent of floral, granny smith and lemon zest - didn’t get the candied lime or white peach (it’s hard to separate so many with just two nostrils). A light film with lots of fast tears and the first sip has a lightly rounded texture, a taint of sweetness and light on acid. Flavours of granny smith, a lime and lemon combo, albeit so delicate and evenly blended, hide in the background coming forward in a long, soft finish building with each sip. A youthful riesling easily introduced to a family or social crowd. Perhaps would pair with teriyaki or sweet & sour chicken, dim sum treats and lightly curried rice dishes. A drink now. 83
No comments:
Post a Comment