Tuesday, April 17, 2007

Fielding Estate Winery 2006 Fume Blanc - $24.00

It’s rare that I write a review with a specific person in mind; but this one seems justified, afterall birthdays come round but once a year, and so rarely do they fall on Weekly Wine Note day … you know who you are so this one’s for you. Fielding launched nine wines over the weekend of April 14, 2007: 6 whites, 2 reds and a rose. Among the wines on that list was their first ever Sauvignon Blanc; but instead of making just one for the inaugural vintage they decided to go all out and make two: a regular (stainless steel version) and a fume (aged minimally in barrel to give it some oak characteristics). While the regular Sauvignon Blanc is good, I think I like the Fume better. Aged in 4-year-old refurbished red wine barrels, that were stripped, “sanded” and re-assembled with no toasting inside (to avoid imparting too much smokiness into the wine). New winemaker (for Fielding) Ray Cornell, has done a wonderful job on this wine. The nose is nuanced with muted lime and grassiness; but where this wine really shines is in your mouth. Typical Sauvignon Blanc citrus and grassy flavours mix well with the spices and butteryness taken from the barrel, all rounded off with a nice lingering finish. Very nice job Ray, very nice indeed. And by the way, my Sauvignon Blanc loving friend, Happy Birthday. Available at the winery only.

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