With so many different flavors converging at the table, it’s difficult to choose just one wine for Thanksgiving. Below are some of our staff’s recommendations:
2009 THUNDERBOLT – $12
100% Sauvignon Blanc. Light-bodied with racy acidity & enticing aromas of citrus & tropical fruit with subtle herbaceous undertones.
Excellent, Wine Press NW (FALL 2010)
Recommended By: Vickie (Prosser Tasting Room)
2009 GEWURZTRAMINER – $14
This wine exhibits aromas of candied pear, lychee, and floral notes. Gracefully refreshing with crisp flavors of Asian pear and a detectable sliver of residual sugar.
Recommended, Wine Press NW (Fall 2010)
Recommended By: Jim (Woodinville Tasting Room Manager)
2008 LIGHTNING – $18
50% Viognier, 25% Roussanne, 20% Chardonnay, & 5% Marsanne. Full-bodied with a rich creamy mouthfeel & luscious flavors of pineapple, peach, vanilla, & honeyed oak.
Silver Medal, 2009 Tri-Cities Wine Festival
Silver Medal, 2010 San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition
90 Points, Wine Advocate
Recommended By: Aaron (Vineyard & Cellar Crew), Mike (Owner)
2009 RUBY ROSE – $14
Fresh strawberry fields breeze past the nose as rhubarb & kiwi flavors frolic across the palate. Crisp, dry, & refreshing, this rosé beckons you to kick your feet up & enjoy a relaxing afternoon.
Recommended By: Cricket (Prosser Tasting Room), Ann (Bookkeeper), Brian (Woodinville Tasting Room Lead)
2008 MUSTANG – $25
53% Grenache, 35% Syrah, 8% Cinsault, 2% Counoise, & 2% Mourvèdre. This medium-bodied Rhone style blend has flavors of raspberry, cranberry, & underlying nuances of white pepper.
Silver Medal, 2010 San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition
Recommended By: Lori (Marketing Director), Nate (Prosser Tasting Room)
2009 BOMBSHELL – $16
45% Merlot, 41% Syrah, 8% Malbec, 4% Sangiovese, & 2% Petit Verdot. Approachable red blend with dark, overlapping aromas of plum, blackberry, and a hint of cocoa, leaving lingering flavors of dark fruit and toasted oak on the palate. With firm tannins and a round, full-bodied mouthfeel, this blend pairs well with a wide range of foods.
Recommended By: Linda (Hospitality Coordinator)
2008 MERLOT – $22
This complex, concentrated Merlot captivates the senses with intense flavors of dark berry & plum. Low yielding vines & extended barrel aging have brought forth supple tannins & a full-bodied mouthfeel.
90 Points, Wine Advocate
Recommended By: Marcus (Winemaker)
2008 COUNOISE (Wine Club Only) – $28
100% Counoise. Typically a blending component, this varietal often goes unnoticed. However, this vintage produced a wine of such high quality that it warranted being bottled as a stand-alone variety. This medium-bodied wine is multi-dimensional with layers of spice, toasted oak, dark cherry, and plum. It has soft tannins, an elegant structure, and exceptional balance.
Silver Medal, 2010 Tri-Cities Wine Festival
Recommended By: Amy (Assistant General Manager)
After a long couple of weeks pulling many late nights, Airfield Estates is back and ready to share the latest harvest happenings. Despite this years harvest being a bit later than last, Washington Association of Wine Grape Growers expects a record yield. This forecast appears no different for Airfield Estates, as things have shifted into high gear.
With all of the whites in except Riesling and Marsanne, the focus has shifted to the reds. Merlot hit the cellar today, proving to be as consistent as ever. Merlot is a Bordeaux variety. It is one of the most heavily planted varieties in the state of WA. Airfield’s block, planted in 1996, consistently produces top quality fruit offering flavors of currant, blackberry, and plum, with notes of clove and peppercorn. Winemaker Marcus Miller believes this years crop may just be the best yet. Listen below as Marcus discusses today’s events
Though a late harvest can raise nerves as season’s changes become a greater risk factor, there is tremendous potential as well as the fruit obtains better acidity and bolder color. Stay tuned for more harvest news and updates as the early mornings and late nights continue on here at Airfield Estates.
