Field Recordings - 2015 "FICTION" red blend [Paso Robles, CA]

I grabbed this California red wine at D'Vines one day after my shift; I've seen it on our wine wall for some time, and I admit that in this case, marketing has done its job. The label is quite attractive and modern; it stands out in a sea of traditional plain labels. I took a look, liked what I saw, and decided to give it a try.

This wine is made by Field Recordings, the brainchild of winemaker Andrew Jones. According to his website, Jones is a vinetender who's worked in many vineyards throughout the California coast; he is constantly on the lookout for small, underappreciated vineyards and fruit. From some of the vineyards he's worked, he's been able to reserve some of the fruit grown to make his own wine. These small lots are all single-origin and released under the Field Recordings label.

There are three secondary labels, as well, under the Field Recordings umbrella, including a canned wine (Alloy Wine Works), a label that focuses on Pinot Noir and Chardonnay from so-called "extreme coastal conditions" (Wonderwall), and two multi-vineyard blends (FICTION.) Today's wine is the red version of FICTION. It's a mixmaster blend of:

• 48% Zinfandel
• 15% Syrah
• 14% Mourvedre
• 8% Graciano (a new one for me)
• 8% Cabernet Sauvignon
• 4% Touriga Nacional (also new)
• 3% Carignan

OK, so, I can appreciate a good red blend just as much as the next guy, but having seven different grapes in this wine seems a bit excessive. I imagine it would be tough for anyone to pick out the individual characteristics of each grape. Such small percentages, as well, make me question the decision; for example, the Carignan makeup of this blend is 3%, which in terms of a 750mL bottle, is only 1.5 tablespoons. That's not a lot of flavor to add to a wine and I'd wager most people wouldn't tell the difference if it was omitted. This is not the only wine that does this....another example is Boekenhoutskloof's "The Wolf Trap", which is a blend of Syrah, Mourvedre, and...1% Viognier. I mean, come on. 1%? That's only 1.5 teaspoons in an entire bottle. Crazy.

I had some extra time on my hands, so I was planning on trying this wine and pairing with my homemade truffle and bacon mac n' cheese.

I precooked the bacon, and used the bacon fat for the roux. As all that was going on, I poured out the wine using my new Vintorio aerator. The wine world is divided on the use of aerators; I think it's fine and helps the wine breathe. Some feel it's a gimmick, but hey, if it agitates the wine more than a simple pour, it's got to have some effect, right?

It projects a very pleasing aroma; a little grape, a little fruit, a little spice. Nothing particularly unbalanced.

Initially, I'm tasting some unripe grapes flavors and a burst of tannins on the front end, which dies away quickly and leads to a very soft, slightly sweet flavors. The wine develops into cassis, with a bit of leather paired with some alcohol esters, and a touch of allspice. It goes out like a lamb, though, finishing soft and silky, with lots of cherry juice flavors. The aftertaste is a bit dry with a slight metallic tinge.

Overall, super nice and a very approachable red, and would pair well with numerous dishes. I liked the softness on the finish the most, it was just dry enough to cut through the rich and creamy mac 'n cheese. The berry flavors and a bit of spice makes it an approachable, middle-of-the-road wine that's done quite nicely. 

The winery's website bills this as a "wine for every occasion" and I'd say that's partially true. The blend is solid and although I couldn't necessarily pick out each individual grape variant, I did enjoy each of the flavors in harmony. The $21.99 price tag prevents from being a true diamond in the rough, though, but it's well worth a try. Field Recordings has a few other offerings, including a hoppy wine (!) which I will eventually track down and try.