Tasting Note I really like how this invokes serious, exacting Bordeaux-like aromas, then delivers them with Niagara energy and ease, which is Fielding’s style. The colour is fairly deep ruby-garnet. The nose is lifted with complex, intense notes of blackcurrant/blackberry, fresh herbs, tobacco, with the subtle chocolaty note often delivered by merlot and fine oak. It is medium-full bodied, tart-edged and warm (14.4%) with quite gritty, starchy, youthful tannin. The focus and length are excellent. Will soften in a couple of years but I also like its energy now. Tasted April 2026

Backgrounder Fielding is an institution in terms of providing amiable, lively wines and experiences on the Beamsville Bench, with very good value-based pricing. The Rock Pile series represents a level up in price and quality, but the wines are still good value. The fruit for most of the series is from the Tufford Road vineyard, almost literally on the shore of Lake Ontario. Says winemaker Richie Roberts: “There is certainly a focus on Lincoln Lakeshore wines for Rock Pile, a sub-app where we have a vineyard producing some of our best and and most distinctive fruit.” This bottling, however, is from three Niagara sites. The Rock Pile portfolio also includes a very rich, dry Pinot Gris ($25.95) from vines planted in 1988, a complex, lively Chardonnay ($31.95) and a fresh yet seriously good Pinot Noir ($25.95). The Rock Pile wines are available exclusively through retail/web and select licensees.