2022 Syrah
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Tasting Notes
Our 2022 Syrah is a rich, full-bodied wine that evokes dark aromas of candied plum, blackberry jam infused with black currant, and hints of orange peel, soy sauce, and smoked barbecue. The palate is silky in texture, with flavors of sweet chocolate, black cherry, smoked dates, and confectionery spice. The wine finishes with a fleshy, lingering impression, layered with notes of toasted oak and an intriguing hint of wet stone. Enjoy now through 2037, with optimal maturity anticipated around 2033.
Awards
2022 Vintage
91 Points, International Wine Report
91 Points, BEST BUY, Wine Enthusiast
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2021 Vintage
88 pts. James Suckling
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2020 Vintage
90 | Wine Spectator
Vineyard Designation
100% Estate Grown
Vintage Notes
The 2022 vintage in Washington State presented both challenges and opportunities for grape growers and winemakers. A mild winter extended into spring, with frost events and cooler, winter-like conditions lingering through April. These temperatures delayed bud break several weeks beyond the regional norm and slowed early vineyard development. In response, careful vineyard management—including cluster thinning and canopy adjustments—was implemented to support optimal ripening. By mid-July, temperatures increased significantly, leading to near-record growth and contributing to one of the warmest autumns on record in Washington. The region also experienced minimal smoke impact from wildfires. The extended warmth of late summer and fall allowed grapes additional hang time, even though harvest began approximately three weeks later than average. With no significant fall frost events, fruit reached optimal ripeness and flavor development. Wines from the 2022 vintage show ripe fruit character, expressive aromatics, balanced acidity, and soft, integrated tannins. These wines are approachable upon release while also possessing the structure to age gracefully for years to come.
Winemaking Notes
Our Airfield Syrah is sourced exclusively from our Estate Vineyard in the Yakima Valley AVA. Crafting a wine of this caliber begins in the vineyard, where we meticulously manage crop size and ensure proper canopy exposure late in the season to achieve optimal ripeness. Harvested in mid-October, the grapes were destemmed but not crushed and sorted using an optical sorter before being sent to small fermenters. To enhance complexity in aroma and mouthfeel, a portion of the final blend was fermented in concrete tanks. Syrah offers great flexibility during extraction, allowing for a range of techniques without the risk of over-extraction. Fermentation occurred at 88–90°F, with more aggressive methods such as délestage used early on, then gradually reduced to gentler techniques to preserve a soft, lush palate. The wine remained on skins for 15 days until dry, then was drained and gently pressed before being transferred to French oak barrels—38% new, 42% 1–3-year-old, and 20% neutral—and inoculated for malolactic fermentation. After MLF, the lees were stirred twice monthly for three months to enhance roundness and depth. Throughout aging, the wine received careful attention, including topping twice weekly and three rackings. It was aged for approximately 20 months in French oak, then racked to concrete for one additional month before bottling.
* Produced in a Vegan Manner (No animal byproducts used in the production of this wine)
- Varietal Composition: 100% Syrah
- Appellation: Yakima Valley
- Aging / Barrel Program: 20 months in 100% French oak (38% new, 42% 1–3-year-old, and 20% neutral), plus 1 month in concrete
- Cases Produced: 2,322
- Alcohol: 14.6%
- pH: 3.88
- Acidity: 5.8 g/L
- Ageability: Enjoy now through 2037, optimal maturity should peak around 2033.