2022 Founders Michael
This wine pays tribute to our father, Michael L. Miller, who founded Airfield Estates Winery and also was responsible for expanding our estate vineyard into the large-scale operation it is today. The pride, passion, and enthusiasm that he expressed for our vineyard, grapes, and wine is something that we hope to continue to share with others.
Tasting Notes
Crafted for exceptional balance, richness, and complexity, this full-bodied Rhône-style blend features 83% Syrah, 13% Grenache, and 4% Mourvèdre. Aromas of blackberry, black currant, and candied plum harmonize with savory notes of wild smoked game, black olive tapenade, and spiced oak. The palate offers a smooth entry, unveiling evolving layers of soy sauce, cassis, white pepper, orange peel essence, and subtle minerality. A silk-like tannin structure, soft acidity, and lingering finish of sweet toasted oak complete this robust yet elegant wine. Enjoy now through 2044, with peak maturity in 2038.
Awards
2022 Vintage
94 Points, Paul Gregutt
93 Points, International Wine Report
92 Points, Pacific NW Wine Competition
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2021 Vintage
94 Points, Paul Gregutt
92+ Points, Vinous
88 Points, Decanter
87 Points, Wine Enthusiast
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2020 Vintage
94 Points, Decanter
93 Points, James Suckling
93 Points, Paul Gregutt
91 Points, Wine Enthusiast
90+ Points, Robert Parker Wine Advocate
Vineyard Designation
100% Estate Grown
Vintage Notes
The 2022 vintage in the Yakima Valley was a bit of a roller coaster. A mild winter extended into spring with early frost periods and winter-like conditions in April. The cool spring delayed bud break by a few weeks and caused delayed growth in the vineyard as we moved into summer. Each vineyard block was meticulously managed to ensure a ripe crop by harvest. We lowered clusters per vine and allowed for more sunlight exposure. By mid-July, temperatures finally started warming up and led to record growth in a short amount of time. Fortunately, warm summer temperatures extended into fall, helping to length- en the growing season and allowing the grapes to continue to ripen. Harvest ended up being delayed approximately three weeks from a typical year. We gratefully did not experience any fall frost events, so the grapes had extended hang time on the vines to achieve optimal ripeness and excellent flavor development. Overall, the 2022 vintage displays ripe flavors, bountiful fruit aromas, and balanced acidity. The wines can be enjoyed in their youth, or they can cellar for many years to come.
Winemaking Notes
Crafted from the finest reserve-tier blocks of our estate vineyard, the Syrah, Grenache, and Mourvèdre grapes for this exceptional blend were harvested in early October. After destemming and precise opti- cal sorting, the fruit underwent fermentation in concrete vats, with 35% of the Syrah included as whole clusters to enhance both structure and complexity. During fermentation, each lot spent an average of 17 days in concrete, allowing the wine to go dry on the skins before pressing. The concrete vessels con- tribute additional layers of complexity, imparting a nuanced minerality and elevating the fruit aromatics. Our extraction method was intentionally vigorous at the onset, utilizing aerated pump-overs to introduce oxygen early in the process. This strategy ensures optimal color and flavor extraction, while a gradual shift to a gentler approach as alcohol levels increased helped preserve the wine’s naturally silky tannin structure. Following fermentation, each lot was transferred to large-format French oak barrels for aging. Once malolactic fermentation was complete, we stirred the lees twice monthly for four months, naturally softening the wine and enhancing its seamless, rounded palate. After this initial aging period, we metic- ulously evaluated each barrel, hand-selecting only the finest from each lot to compose this remarkable blend. The blend then matured for an additional 16 months in exclusive 500L French oak barrels, all 100% new, imparting depth and elegance. To further elevate the aromatics, the wine spent a final month aging in concrete tanks, resulting in a masterpiece that balances exquisite finesse with layered complexity.
Food Pairing
Peppered Rib-Eye Steak
Pan-Seared Venison
Stuffed Portabella Mushrooms
- Varietal Composition: 83% Syrah, 13% Grenache, and 4% Mourvèdre
- Appellation: Yakima Valley
- Cases Produced: 208
- Alcohol: 14.3%
- pH: 3.89
- Acidity: 5.7 g/L
- Ageability: Enjoy now through 2044, with peak maturity in 2038.