Wine of the Day: 2014 Fields Family Wines Zinfandel Stampede Vineyard

When historic old vine fruit is put into a very talented winemaker’s hands,trust and believe, a very memorable, complex and structured wine will ensue!

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2014 Fields Family Wines Zinfandel Stampede Vineyard

Disclosure: This wine was provided to me as a media sample. I received no compensation for this post, and all opinions presented are my own.

Fruit for this wine sourced from the Stampede Vineyard in the Clements sub-AVA.  The vineyard was planted in the 1920’s to mostly own-rooted Zinfandel, with a bit of Mission and Mourvedre grapes.  The vineyard is located on the southern embankment of the Mokelumne River. The vineyard is certified by the Historic Vineyard Society.

The wine was fermented on native yeast.  Raised in one time used & neutral French Oak barrels.

My tasting note follows:

Color – Translucent ruby
Aromas – Lifted Kirsch, strawberry compote, dried herb, tobacco, and baking spice
Body – Medium-bodied, and elegant with mouth-watering acidity, and velvety well-integrated tannins
Taste – Kirsch, black raspberry, red currant and spice flavors
Finish – Long and very satisfying

14.3% ABV |SRP – $28| 91pts

When historic old vine fruit is put into a very talented winemaker’s hands,trust and believe, a very memorable, complex and structured wine will ensue!

About Fields Family Wines

Fields Family winery 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 Jalynn are partners in the winery.  The  Fields and Sherman met in 2004, when Fields was looking to purchase a vineyard, and Sherman helped him with his search.

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.

Fields Family Wines’  first release  of 350 cases was the 2008 vintage (released in 2010).  Over the years they have gradually increased production. They produced 1,600 cased in 2013.  According to Sherman..that’s just about max of what we can do while keeping our day jobs and not getting divorce papers in the process….

Their plan for now is to continue to focus on small lots ( 125 to 200 case production) mostly from local vineyards the east side of the Mokelumne River AVA.  Working in small lots enables Sherman do most of the work himself and maintain high quality.

Our goal is to craft wines that showcase the vineyards from where they come and employ a minimalistic approach to winemaking. Grape growing and winemaking should go hand in hand – as winegrowers we seek to enhance this relationship. 

Sherman is self-taught and self-trained as a winemaker,  but having grown up in Lodi he was in a position to seek the advice and guidance of some of the area’s best growers and winemakers.

Sherman is a quick study.  I’ve tasted a number of Fields Family Wine over a number of years, and they just get better year after year.

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