Field Recordings ‘Fiction’ Red, Paso Robles, California

Description

Juicy blackberry and Rainier cherry lead the way, followed by cracked pepper, a hint of leather, and a stony snap that keeps the finish brisk. Field Recordings ‘Fiction’ Red 2024 is Andrew Joness anything-goes snapshot of Paso Robles, built from a deliberately wide cast of grapes and vineyards and stitched into a surprisingly cohesive whole. It feels less like a one-off blend and more like an ongoing conversation, shaped by a winemaker whose career has focused on uncovering overlooked sites and letting them speak clearly.

Product Details:

• Owner & Winemaker: Andrew Jones
• Varieties: 21% Cinsaut, 17% Lagrein, 16% Cabernet Franc, 13% Charbono, 10% Cabernet Sauvignon, 9% Sangiovese, 6% Alicante Bouschet, 4% Zinfandel, 2% Grenache, 2% Trousseau
• ABV: 13.9%
• Vineyards: Loomis, Old Potrero, Beato, Armory, Alta Gaviota, Guglielmo Giovanni, Wilderness, Creston Ridge, Koligian, Hinterland
• Fermentation: Lots are vinified separately with native fermentation, often as whole berries; select lots are fermented carbonically for 7 or 21 days
• Aging: Approximately 10 months in American and French oak barrels and foudres, with about 20% new oak
• Additions: Filtered and bottled with little to no added sulfur

Sensory Description:

Field Recordings ‘Fiction’ Red 2024 drinks like a wide-ranging blend with a clear point of view, balancing bright fruit with savory depth. Blackberry and black cherry anchor the palate, joined by white pepper, dried herbs, and subtle leather tones. A rocky mineral note carries through the mid-palate, keeping the wine agile and energetic rather than heavy. While Paso Robles is often associated with ripe, sun-driven intensity, the 2024 vintage preserved freshness and structure, lending this bottling a sense of lift and momentum alongside its layered complexity.

Winemaker’s Background:

Field Recordings is the personal project of winemaker Andrew Jones, built around vineyards and growers he believes deserve greater attention. Drawing on years of vineyard experience, Jones focuses on small lots, unconventional varieties, and minimal-intervention choices to highlight site character. Wines like Fiction serve as a broader lens on Paso Robles, bringing together disparate pieces of the region into a single, expressive blend.

Serving Suggestions:

Serve slightly cool, around 6063F, in a medium-to-large red wine glass to allow the peppery aromatics and dark fruit to unfold. A brief chill emphasizes freshness, while a short splash decant draws out savory notes. Pair with barbecue ribs, pepper-crusted burgers, sausage and peppers, or roasted mushrooms and lentils, dishes that welcome both fruit and savory depth.