2022 Founders H. Lloyd
This wine pays tribute to H. Lloyd Miller, who founded our family farm in the early 1900s. He is also considered the father of the Roza Irrigation Canal, which supplies water to 72,000 acres of farmland in our region. His entrepreneurial spirit provides a great source of inspiration to our family as we strive to carry on his legacy.
Tasting Notes
Our 2022 Founders Series H. Lloyd Miller is a poised and powerful Bordeaux-style blend that exemplifies depth, structure, and sophistication. Composed of 53% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Merlot, 21% Cabernet Franc, and 1% Petit Verdot, it opens with layered aromas of dark cherry, blackberry marmalade, and blackcurrant, interwoven with notes of cola, smoked beechwood, and graphite. The palate is both commanding and impeccably balanced, driven by firm, seamlessly integrated tannins that frame a tapestry of bramble berry, vanilla-infused truffle, salted caramel, seared leather, and subtle incense. Sweet, toasted oak contributes warmth and dimension, extending the wine into a long, resonant finish. Enjoy now through 2044, with optimal maturity anticipated around 2039.
Awards
2022 Vintage
94 Points, Paul Gregutt
94 Points, International Wine Report
93 Points, Vinous
90 Points, James Suckling
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2021 Vintage
95 Points, Paul Gregutt
94 Points, "Top Pick" WA Tasting Room Magazine
93 Points, Northwest Wine Report, Sean Sullivan
92 Points, Vinous
92 Points, Wine Enthusiast
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2020 Vintage
92 Points, Wine Enthusiast
91 Points, Jeb Dunnuck
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2019 Vintage
94 Points, Paul Gregutt
94 Points & Editors' Choice, Wine Enthusiast
93 Points, Vinous
Vineyard Designation
100% Estate Grown
Vintage Notes
The 2022 growing season began with a mild winter that stretched into a cold spring, delaying bud break by several weeks. Vineyard teams responded with meticulous canopy work, lower- ing yields, increasing sun exposure, and managing each block to ensure proper ripening. By mid-July, warm weather finally arrived, driving rapid vine growth and setting the stage for a long, favorable ripening period. A frost-free autumn allowed the fruit to remain on the vine well into the season, developing excellent flavor concentration and natural balance. The resulting wines show ripe, concentrated fruit, lifted aromatics, and bright acidity—expressive in their youth and excep- tionally promising for long-term cellaring.
Winemaking Notes
Each varietal selected for our H. Lloyd Miller blend originated from our finest reserve-tier blocks within the estate vineyard. The fruit was hand-harvested in late October, gently de-stemmed without crushing, and precision sorted using optical technology before being transferred to small stainless-steel fermenters. All varietals were co-fermented, promoting early integration and yielding elevated fruit expression and greater structural complexity. Extraction began with assertive techniques, including délestage, pulse-air, and extended aerated pump-overs, designed to maximize color and dark-fruit aromatics. As fermentation progressed and alcohol levels rose, extraction shifted to gentler methods to preserve finesse and avoid over-extraction. Following primary fermentation, the wine remained on the skins for an additional 14 days of extended maceration to enhance aromatic complexity and depth of character. The free-run wine was then drained from the tank, with press fractions excluded from the final blend. The wine was transferred directly to 100% new French oak barrels for malolactic fermentation. During élevage, lees stirring was performed twice monthly for 4 months to naturally soften the palate and build mouthfeel. The wine matured in barrel for approximately 22 months before being transferred to tank for final settling and bottling.
Food Pairing
Beef Bourguignon
Roasted Rack of Lamb
Pan-Seared Sirloin
- Varietal Composition: 53% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Merlot, 21% Cabernet Franc, and 1% Petit Verdot
- Appellation: Yakima Valley
- Cases Produced: 142
- Alcohol: 14.1%
- pH: 3.77
- Acidity: 5.9 g/L
- Ageability: Drink now through 2044 with optimal maturity in 2039.