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The Field Recordings Chenin 2024 is a wine I found at a local wine shop selling for $14.99. This Chenin land was sourced from three vineyards in the Central Coast AVA that were planted in the 1970s.
The Story
Field Recordings is a project by winemaker Andrew Jones. He was a Feldman who traveled the Central Coast looking for underused vineyards that needed help to thrive. In 2007, he made his first wine under the Field Recordings, Wonderwall, and Fiction labels. His first single-varietal wine was Chenin Blanc.
The Field Recordings Chenin 2024 is sourced from the 100% organic Shell Creek Vineyard, the Jurassic Park Vineyard, and the Chalone Vineyard, which has been producing wine grapes since 1919.
Chenin Blanc is a grape originally from the Loire Valley in France and is now one of the prominent grapes in South Africa. Chenin is a grape that is similar to Chardonnay in that it can be produced with no oak, or be oaked, it can under go malolactic fermentation, it can be produced in several styles and makes a vary good Sparkling wine.
Field Recordings used old techniques to make this wine, the grapes were hand-picked and pressed directly to the barrel for spontaneous fermentation using native yeast.
This Chenin Blanc was aged for 4 months in 1000L German Fuder, and neutral barrique barrels. The Fuder is a German barrel used with Riesling.
Old vine grapes produced in an older style. The alcohol content is 11.9%.
The Field Recordings Chenin 2024 Tasting Notes
The color is clear with a hint of butter yellow. The nose is peach, pear, apple, a little melon, dried pineapple bits, a soft slap of spice, and stone fruit. The Field Recordings Chenin 2024 starts smooth and then blooms with flavor.
The Chenin Blanc tastes like melon mixed with apple, a slap of apricot, followed by peach, pear, and soft tropical fruit.
The acidity allows the flavors to unfold and gives this Chenin Blanc good length.
The Summary
- The Field Recordings Chenin 2024 put a smile on my face. Chenin can be made in so many styles that I sometimes love it and other times not so much. I love this one.
- Great grapes, excellent winemaking equals a very good wine!
