Issue LXIII: Field Recordings Fiction Edition

 Field Recordings Fiction [Blend] Edition

It is the very end of 2018 as I write this. I always try to write these in advance, for posting at a later time and this is the first in a very long time. Indeed, I got curious and looked and it has been over a full calendar year since I added a new wine to the HSC list. Part of that is because I was enjoying various entries on the list, but mostly it was because the list is fairly narrow and specific and I’d gone through many, many entries that could have conceivably fit and found many of them wanting. Obviously, that changes today.

I had never heard of Field Recordings, which almost sounds like music should be involved somehow. I checked and it does not appear to be the case, at least that I can find. Naturally, being a writer and all, I was drawn to the very austere labeling, which largely just features the word “Fiction.” The pull, in fact, was so strong that out of a case lot of various entries to try, I could not bring myself to wait and tried it first...

Clearly, my penchant for Blends can tend to dominate and perhaps I’ve long passed the point of diminishing returns, but when I am rewarded, such as with this one, the majesty remains fully intact. Here, we have a blend of 7 different wines, with the majority being Zinfandel, followed next by Syrah. The other big, bold baddy, Cabernet Sauvignon, is present in there as well, so this thing comes packing a punch. It is evidently sourced from multiple vineyards, so the intent seems to be a best of all possible worlds thing and I’d say they came pretty close.

This is a very accessible wine, outstanding right out of the gate and, dare I say it, even refreshing. The taste is an exquisite balance of those large tannin-heavy hitters, along with enough astringency to cut it just enough to make it a delight. It is unquestionably a dark wine, of course, but doesn’t drink like anything heavy. It is far from light, but does retain a nice smoothness throughout. I got strong berry, with just a light dash, here and there, of cherry cola, as there did seem to be a bit of effervescence to this.

All in all, this is definitely my favorite wine of 2018 and for the price point, this is an outstanding value. This, then, make it a Standard.