Recent Press

Airfield Estates Winery are among this years’ Global Vegan champions and have been awarded:
Best Vegan Red Wine Winery - Pacific Northwest USA

Global Vegan Awards

Described as a Left Bank, Bordeaux-style blend, this puts the emphasis on Cabernet Sauvignon, with 29% Merlot and 13% Cabernet Franc finishing out the blend. It’s a fine companion to the Dauntless, and spent 21 months in 58% new oak. Terrific focus pins the tail on the cedar, cassis, espresso and graphite notes that can also be found in the Reserve Cabernet. Where that wine is likely pure Cab, this both stacks and broadens the scope with the additional grapes. Very fine value. 

Paul Gregutt

Tri-Cities Wine Festival

Decanter World Wine Awards 2017

Seattle Wine Awards

The 2009 Aviator is made up of 50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Merlot, with the balance Petit Verdot, Cabernet Franc, and Malbec aged in 50% new French oak for 21 months. It was a barrel-selection of the best Bordeaux varieties in the cellar. It exhibits an inviting nose of sandalwood, exotic spices, incense, violets, herbs, black currant, and blackberry which set the stage for a rich, savory, plush, layered wine with excellent depth and length.  – Jay S. Miller

Wine Advocate

Tri-Cities Wine Festival

The 2008 Aviator is made up of 50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Merlot, with the balance Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot, and Malbec aged for 20 months in 50% new French oak. Deep purple-colored, it gives up an aromatic array of toasty new oak, smoke, violets, spice box, black cherry, and black currant. The most structured of the red wines, it has excellent concentration, serious depth and grip, and several years of aging potential.

Wine Advocate

Tri-Cities Wine Festival

Tri-Cities Wine Festival

San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition

This blend of 40% Merlot, 36% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Syrah, with a touch of Malbec, Cab Franc, and Sangiovese is surprisingly medium-bodied and intriguing for an $18 wine. It has layers of sweet ripe raspberry along with tart notes of dried cranberry, boysenberry, and cassis, and a bit of cocoa nib in the background. Expect soft but lingering tannins for a long finish, making this wine a better companion to accompany a good meal than for happy hour sipping. 91 Points in the $15 to $25 Category - The Wine Panel

The Wine Panel

San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition

Tri-Cities Wine Festival

This ripe red delivers a solid mouthful of plum and currant fruit, weaving in some coffee and toast as the finish rolls on unimpeded by much tannins. Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Malbec, Cinsault and Counoise.  – Harvey Steiman

Wine Spectator

 Airfield wines are textbook examples of the featured varieties, pure and focused and clean and substantial. This excellent Cabernet brings black fruits, cassis, espresso and a hint of charred wood. It’s full and layered, with touches of lemon, olive oil and tarragon nicely woven through. Like the Merlot this is very fine value.

Paul Gregutt

Wine Enthusiast

Rare to find a Cab this good at this price. Classic black cherry and black currant fruit is framed with barrel toast and ripe tannins. The overall balance among fruit, acid, tannin and barrel could not be better. Is this as good as some of Washington's $150 Cabs? No, but it's closer than you would expect. 975 cases; 14.3%; $35 (Yakima Valley) 92/100

Paul Gregutt

This has aromas of stewed cherries, dried herbs, spice, mushrooms and orange peel. It’s medium- to full-bodied with firm, grainy tannins. Showing excellent complexity with a savory finish. Drink now or hold.

James Suckling

Editors' Choice

Wine Enthusiast

This estate red is focused, mildly herbaceous and concentrated, the product of a long growing season. Its menthol scent leads to black-fig flavors and leathery tannins that are long and firm, very satisfying in a savory mode. —P.J.C. (465 cases)

Wine & Spirits Magazine

Reserve Regional Class Champion

Houston Rodeo Wine Competition

Tri-Cities Wine Festival

2019 San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo Wine Competition

Seattle Wine Awards

Seattle Wine Awards

Decanter World Wine Awards

Cascadia Wine Competition

San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo

This lean cabernet shows off the cool side of the Yakima in its conifer scents and dark inky color, with an elegant line of black-currant fruit supported by a firm spine of tannins.  Serve it with a black-and-blue steak.  – Patrick J. Comiskey

Wine & Spirits Magazine

Decanter World Wine Awards 2017

The aromas suggest notes of herb, vanilla, wood spice, plum and dark fruit. The palate is restrained in style, full of dark-fruit and barrel flavors and lightly grainy tannins.  – Sean P. Sullivan

Wine Enthusiast

High-toned aromas of cocoa, barrel spice, vanilla and dark fruit lead to plentiful, focused fruit and barrel flavors. The flavors linger on the finish.  – Sean P. Sullivan

Wine Enthusiast

This is a fine-tuned, pure varietal Cabernet, sourced from a vineyard planted in 1989. Boysenberries, cherries, red and black licorice and notes of coffee and pepper are all in play, buoyed by lively acidity and brightened with light baking spices.  – Paul Gregutt

Wine Enthusiast

The 2008 Cabernet Sauvignon contains small amounts of Malbec and Merlot aged for 20 months in 45% new French oak. Medium purple-colored, it reveals aromas of pain grille, pencil lead, violets, spice box, incense, black currant, and blackberry. On the palate, it has ample layered fruit, good balance, well-integrated oak, good volume, and 2-3 years of aging potential.  – Jay S. Miller

Wine Advocate

The 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve offers a bit more of everything. It is a denser, more structured wine with terrific depth and plenty of aging potential.  – Jay S. Miller

Wine Advocate

The purple-colored 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon spent 18 months in 50% new oak. The nose offers up cedar, pencil lead, damp earth, incense, and blackcurrant. Layered and lengthy on the palate, this savory, well-balanced wine will drink well through 2020.  – Jay S. Miller

Wine Advocate

Regional Class Champion

Houston Rodeo Wine Competition

2019 Airfield Estates Chardonnay- The 2019 Airfield Estates Chardonnay saw a combination of stainless steel and French oak barrel fermentation before bottling. The resulting wine shows a soft texture and great sense of mouthfeel, with ripe orchard fruits and banana tones that all lead to a long and gratifying finish. Drink 2021-2025- 90

Owen Bargreen

Seattle Wine Awards

Seattle Wine Awards

A deliciously creamy, citrus inflected Chardonnay with butterscotch scents and a crisp acidity that cuts through. Ageing in a combination of neutral French oak and stainless steel has retained freshness while contributing subtle sweet spice notes and texture to the wine.  – James Button

Decanter Magazine

Great Northwest Invitational Wine Competition

Sourced from the winery's highest, steepest site, and barrel-fermented with partial malolactic, this is a fine effort in a lighter vintage. Yeasty and creamy in the mouth, it melds a mix of banana, pineapple and coconut cream in a wine with excellent structure and length. The hint of caramel provides a flourish on the finish.  – Paul Gregutt

Wine Enthusiast

Lively and focused, this white is silky in texture and juicy with pear, citrus and floral flavors, which persist on the deftly balanced finish.  – Harvey Steiman

Wine Spectator

Tri-Cities Wine Festival

Creamy with a smooth streak of rich butterscotch, this is a very appealing wine that seems to gather strength as it slides through the mouth. It hits a whopping 15.3% alcohol, and yet retains a silky feel and a nice mix of peach, apricot and papaya fruits. It just goes on and on, almost like a dessert wine without the sugar.  – Paul Gregutt

Wine Enthusiast

This Right Bank Bordeaux-style blend is half Merlot, 30% Cab Franc and 20% Cabernet Sauvignon. It comes on with a burst of tannin around blueberry and cassis fruit. The screwcap seal suggests that decanting is necessary in order to fully open up the flavors. It’s balanced and complete, with firm, ripe but never overbearing tannins. Gentle barrel aging adds hints of sassafras and sandalwood. All in all a stunning value and a wine to enjoy now and over the next few years.

Paul Gregutt

Best Buy

Wine Enthusiast

50/30/20 Merlot/Franc/Cab. This classy right bank Bordeaux-style blend comes from estate grapes and offers value at a more than fair price. It is a fine companion to the equally excellent Merlot. It's nicely blended, seamless and balanced throughout. Black cherry, cassis, fungus, earth, olive and more are the highlighted components. Well beyond an every day wine, this can be enjoyed now and cellared for up to a decade. 225 cases; 14.2%; $20 (Yakima Valley) 91/100

Paul Gregutt

Navy pilots in the Douglas SBD Dauntless scout/dive bomber proved to be heroes at the Battle of Midway, an early turning point in World War II’s Pacific theater. The Miller family and their winemaker, Travis Maple, take a Right Bank Bordeaux angle with this approachable blend of Merlot (69%), Cabernet Sauvignon (17%) and Cabernet Franc (14%) from their historic Airport Ranch vineyard. Its nose offers a nice cross-section of fruit, spice and herbal notes with Bing cherry, sage, green bell pepper and bay rum. On the palate, there’s light notes from 25% new French oak and creaminess to the profile of black cherry and black currant before blueberry skins and boysenberry add some food-friendly assertion to the finish. Suggested pairings include Beef Wellington, holiday turkey, Beef Stroganoff with cremini and porcini mushrooms or a plate of cheese featuring brie or Colby.
Rating: Excellent, 91 points
Production: 627 cases
Alcohol 14.2%

Great Northwest Wine

Seattle Wine Awards

2019 San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo Wine Competition

Merlot (73%) takes the lead on this wine, which is rounded out by Malbec (12%), Cabernet Sauvignon (7%), Petit Verdot (4%) and Cabernet Franc. Aromas of herb, barrel spice, pencil lead and red and black fruit are followed by plump yet elegant fruit flavors backed by chalky tannins. It shows a lot of restraint.  – Sean P. Sullivan

Wine Enthusiast

San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo Wine Competition

Tri-Cities Wine Festival

Broad and toasty, this easy-to-like wine will make fans of classic, oaky Chardonnays quite happy. Nut oils and tropical fruits, along with a bit of lemon curd, follow through with a creamy mid-palate and soft, toasty finish.

Paul Gregutt

Wine Enthusiast

This is a solid, straight-ahead style – fruit-driven, firm in the middle, pushing clean apple and pear (orchard) fruit front and center. There's a touch of barrel toast and caramel as it winds down through the finish. 132 cases; 13.3%; $40 (Yakima Valley) 90/100

Paul Gregutt

Regional Class Champion

Houston Rodeo Wine Competition

2019 Airfield Estates ‘Donald D. Miller’ Chardonnay- A limited production, roughly 200 case bottling, the 2019 ‘Donald D. Miller’ was stored in largely new French oak (85%) prior to bottling. The wine is beautifully textured while showing good freshness and bright acidity. Sourdough bread and lemon zest tones collide with minerals, smoke and flinty undertones. A great wine to enjoy now, with serious length, the 2019 ‘Donald D. Miller’ will cellar well over the next eight plus years. Drink 2021-2029- 92

Owen Bargreen

Tri-Cities Wine Festival

Wine Enthusiast

Tri-Cities Wine Festival

The blend is based principally on Cabernet Sauvignon, the rest filled in with Merlot and Cab Franc. This is wide open right from the start, a palate-pleasing mix of red berries, sandalwood, sweet spices and a touch of incense. Barrel aging has wrapped it in pretty highlights of roasted coffee beans and dark chocolate. The tannins firm up the finish and add length and strength. Luscious from start to finish.

Paul Gregutt

Editors' Choice

Wine Enthusiast

The blend here is 60% Cabernet and the rest fills in with Merlot and Cab Franc. Supple and strong, it's a Washington Bordeaux-style red wine at a very high level. Anchored in black fruits, roasted coffee beans and threads of black olive, oregano and herbs de Provence, this powerful wine should continue to develop in bottle over the next decade or longer. 248 cases; 14.5%; $50 (Yakima Valley) 94/100

Paul Gregutt

This tête de cuvée displays the estate’s cool-climate bona fides, with sumptuous oak to frame the savor. It leads with scents of rye grain and pine tips, cedar and black plum. The fruit achieves impressive depth, even as the savory elements fall in behind it. For braised beef. —P.J.C. (248 cases)

Wine & Spirits Magazine

Reserve Regional Class Champion Red Bordeaux Varietals

Houston Rodeo Wine Competition

2018 Airfield Estates ‘H. Lloyd Miller’ Red Wine- A Cabernet Sauvignon dominant wine, the ‘H. Lloyd Miller’ Red Wine is a homage to Marcus Miller’s great-grandfather, a pioneer of the Yakima Valley, who founded their family farm in the early 1900’s and helped create the Roza Irrigation Canal, which supplies water to 72,000 acres of farmland in the Yakima Valley.  Once on the nose this takes on cassis and anise tones alongside sagebrush, huckleberry jelly and shades of Turkish coffee that all take shape in the glass. The palate is soft and elegant with a silky mouthfeel. Rich dark fruits parade with shades of blueberry, espresso bean and dried herbs. This is seriously good even at the three year mark, as the 2018 ‘H. Lloyd Miller’ Red Wine will cellar well for a decade or more to come. Drink 2021-2035- 93

Owen Bargreen

Seattle Wine Awards

Cascadia Wine Competition

As the bottle shape indicates, this is a  Syrah-based GSM blend, showcasing some of the winery’s greatest strengths as growers. The bacon fat highlights of the Syrah rock out strong and true, while the Grenache and Mourvèdre play a secondary role. Further grace notes bring spice and coffee, chocolate and a dash of cayenne. The tannins are lightly savory and firm enough to support a long finish. Some early reviews lowballed this wine and missed the boat in my opinion, but that’s what happens when you’re banging through a hundred or more wines in a couple of hours. This is an aromatic and compelling Yakima Valley Syrah with pleasing savory notes from the rest of the blend, and completes a very fine lineup of current releases from Airfield Estates

Paul Gregutt

James Suckling

Pronounced with oaky spice, sweet baking spices, black and red fruits. Very concentrated but young, deep, ripe palate. Smooth, with good acidity, and long length. The tannins are firm and a bit chalky on the finish.

Decanter

Wine Enthusiast

A Syrah-driven GSM blend, this most appealing wine smoothly integrates the berry fruit, the varietal touches of spice and coffee and the chocolatey wrap around the tannins. It's a different take on Washington Syrah that is less in your face and more in your mouth if you get my drift. Delicious from start to finish. 263 cases; 14.4%; $50 (Yakima Valley) 93/100

Paul Gregutt

Regional Class Champion New World Rhone

Houston Rodeo Wine Competition

2018 Airfield Estates ‘Michael L. Miller’ Red Wine- This Rhone inspired wine blends 53% Syrah with 33% Grenache and 14% Mourvedre and is a tribute to Michael L. Miller who founded Airfield Estates. The nose entices with dried garrigue tones alongside smoked pork shoulder, venison blood and black currants that all march in unison. The palate is very fresh, focused and pure, with a soft mouthfeel and wonderful length. This has a great air of elegance and refinement with a seamless texture and a core of dark fruits and creosote, woven together with black pepper and smoky tones. Gorgeous to enjoy right now, this has a long way to go in the cellar. Drink 2021-2032- 93

Owen Bargreen

Tri-Cities Wine Festival

2018 Airfield Estates ‘Hellcat’ Red Wine- The 2018 ‘Hellcat’ blends Tempranillo (68%) with Syrah (32%). The palate shows a silky texture with rich red and dark fruits, with tobacco leaf, leather and milk chocolate tones. Delicious to savor now, enjoy this great effort over the next five to seven years. Drink 2021-2026- 90

Owen Bargreen

Tri-Cities Wine Festival

Seattle Wine Awards

This firm and fruity Tempranillo has a lush core of boysenberry and black cherry fruit.  It's finished with screwcap, and may require decanting to push it open, but it will reward your patience with a deep and focused wine that has some cellar potential.  – Paul Gregutt

Wine Enthusiast

The 2009 Tempranillo contains 5% Cabernet Sauvignon aged for 11 months in a mix of oaks. The bouquet is somewhat reticent but with coaxing displays spicy black fruits and toasty oak. Savory and ripe on the palate with good varietal character, it is another piece of evidence of how Tempranillo can perform in eastern Washington.  – Jay S. Miller

Wine Advocate

Vibrant and juicy, this brims with blackberry, cherry, pepper and floral aromas and flavors, echoing enticingly against mildly crunchy tannins.  – Harvey Steiman

Wine Spectator

Tri-Cities Wine Festival

The Miller family pays honor to its farm’s heritage – a World War II airbase – and Lockheed-Martin by naming this white Rhône blend for the P-38, arguably the most important fighter of its day. Head winemaker Marcus Miller designs this wine around Roussanne (80%), supercharging it with Viognier (10%) and Chardonnay. Suave aromas of lemon chiffon, apple, creamy nougat and herbs lead to nicely balanced flavors of orange yogurt and pear, backed by minerality and lemon pith. Suggested pairings for this Aviation Series bottling include paella Lobster Cioppino, South Indian Chicken Curry and cheeses such as Camembert or fontina.

Great Northwest Wine

Tri-Cities Wine Festival

The 2008 Lightning is a blend of 50% Viognier, 25% Roussanne, with the balance Chardonnay and Marsanne. Barrel-fermented and raised sur lie with monthly batonnage in seasoned French oak for 11 months, the wine did not go through malolactic. The nose displays a touch of smoke, bee's wax, spring flowers, and melon. Medium-bodied on the palate, it reveals a smooth texture, complex flavors, good acidity, and impeccable balance. Drink this lengthy effort now and over the next 4 years.  – Jay S. Miller

Wine Advocate

The purple-colored 2008 Malbec spent 20 months in 40% new French and American oak. Asian spices, incense, lavender, black cherry, and black raspberry are followed by a plush, chewy, full-flavored Malbec with superior depth and length. Give it 2-3 years to fill out and enjoy it from 2013 to 2023.  – Jay S. Miller

Wine Advocate

A firm, tannic, even powerful wine that is nonetheless easy to like right now. The screwcap seal means that decanting is recommended, in order to open up the flavors and release the fruit. Loaded with cherries and toast, a touch of cold coffee, a streak of vanilla, it rolls smoothly into a long finish framed with ripe and focused tannins. A very fine value.

Paul Gregutt

Best Buy

Wine Enthusiast

Wine Enthusiast

Some of Washington's finest values from a family-owned winery come from Airfield. This mellow and flavorful Merlot is a fine example. Soft, smooth, with appealing richness enhanced by hints of cedar. 526 cases; 14.4%; $20 (Yakima Valley) 90/100

Paul Gregutt

The reserve gets extra time in wood, but keeps its balance and relies more on the estate fruit than expensive new barrels. This is a sturdy, even hearty style, the sort of muscular Merlot for which Washington has become famous. As with all the Airfield wines it's a fine value, with classic styling and structure. Unlike some other wines with a reserve label, this truly earns the title. 273 cases; 14.4%; $35 (Yakima Valley) 91/100

Paul Gregutt

Editors' Choice

Wine Enthusiast

Tri-Cities Wine Festival

Seattle Wine Awards

San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition

Seattle Wine Awards

I loved the 2012 Yakima Valley Merlot, and this plump, rounded, textured and fruity effort yields lots of plum, blueberry and violet-like aromas and flavors. It’s another well-made wine from this team that will drink nicely for 3-5 years.  – Jeb Dunnuck

Wine Advocate

San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition

Broad and spicy, tangy at the core, this offers plum and currant fruit lifted by hints of chalky mineral and fine acidity, carrying through on the long finish.  – Harvey Steiman

Wine Spectator

This is a fine effort, culled from a single block of 15-year-old vines. Firm and tannic, it shows focused flavors of blackberry and cassis, highlights of clove and cacao, with admirable precision through a lingering finish.  – Paul Gregutt

Wine Enthusiast

This is all Merlot, tight and toasty, with generous black fruits compacted into a dense core. This one needs more bottle age, and/or substantial decanting time, but it shows excellent depth and polish already.  – Paul Gregutt

Wine Enthusiast

The 2008 Merlot (100%) spent 20 months in 40% new French oak before bottling without fining or filtration. Aromas of cocoa, chocolate, tobacco, cassis, and black cherry lead to a medium to full-bodied ripe wine with good grip, excellent volume, layered fruit, and enough structure to evolve for 1-2 years.  – Jay S. Miller

Wine Advocate

The 2007 Merlot was aged in 40% new oak, predominantly French. Aromas of cedar, cinnamon, allspice, cassis, and black cherry are followed by an easy-going, friendly wine with good depth of flavor and 2-3 years of cellaring potential. It, too, can be enjoyed from 2011 to 2020.  – Jay S. Miller

Wine Advocate

Tri-Cities Wine Festival

This year, Marcus Miller continues to toast the 50th anniversary of his grandfather, Don, establishing Airfield Estates near the base of the Rattlesnake Mountain. The delightful and light expression with Muscat Canelli, one of the seven white varieties planted across their 830 acres, is nicely done without any fizz. Classic aromas of jasmine and rosewater include peaches and apricots. There’s follow through to the palate as pleasing acidity and a nibble of peach skin balance the 4% residual sugar. Suggested pairings include Massaman Chicken, roasted duck breast, Stone-Fruit Panzanella, savory cheesecake and slightly aged goat’s cheese or Cougar Gold.

Great Northwest Wine

Tri-Cities Wine Festival

The GSM category at this year’s Platinum Awards ranked among the most competitive, and Travis Maple’s expression from the Miller family’s historic Airport Ranch earned praise from judges for emulating a Southern Rhône. Maple, a product of Washington State University’s enology and viticulture program, arrived at the winning equation of Syrah (64%), Grenache (23%) and Mourvèdre. The results bring both cassis and red currant within an inkiness that’s smoky, funky and finished with a stream of pomegranate juice.
Award: Great Northwest Invitational (gold).
Rating: Platinum, 92 points
Production: 612 cases
Alcohol: 14%

Great Northwest Wine

Great Northwest Wine Invitational

It could be labeled as Syrah since it forms 75 percent to the wine, but the Miller family opts to brand this Rhône-style red as Mustang, a tribute to the P-51 fighter aircraft built by North American Aviation that first took to the skies for British and American forces during World War II. The 2013 Mustang injects Grenache (20%) and Mourvèdre (5%) for a rich nose of black currant, cherry and dark chocolate with touches of chalkboard dust and squid ink. Across the palate, there’s a long runaway of boysenberry, plum and black currant flavors capped by delicious pomegranate and vanilla notes. It continues to rank as one of the Northwest’s most affordable expressions of GSM.

Great Northwest Wine

San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition

Bright and tangy, with currant and black pepper flavors on a broad, supple frame, lingering on the lively finish.  – Harvey Steiman

Wine Spectator

Seattle Wine Awards

This wine is a blend of Syrah (45%), Mourvèdre (27%), Grenache (25%) and Cinsault. It charms with complex, pure aromas of boysenberry, white pepper, raspberries and herbs. The flavors are full in feel, with the judicious use of oak heightening the enjoyment.  – Sean P. Sullivan

Wine Enthusiast

High-toned aromas of cocoa, barrel spice, vanilla and dark fruit lead to plentiful, focused fruit and barrel flavors. The flavors linger on the finish.  – Sean P. Sullivan

Wine Enthusiast

San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo Wine Competition

Regional Class Champion

Houston Rodeo Wine Competition

2019 Airfield Estates ‘Late Harvest’ Riesling- Over the past decade or so, Airfield Estates has gained a sterling reputation for their dessert style wines. A recent phone call with Marcus Miller sparked me to uncork a 2013 ‘Late Harvest’ bottling that was still fresh and vibrant. The 2019 Airfield Estates ‘Late Harvest’ Riesling shows pretty honeysuckle and white peach aromatics alongside shades of candied ginger and kumquat tones. The palate is dense and viscous, giving an off an unctuous character. Layers of ripe peach and candied Mandarin orange oil with apricot jelly and stony minerals fill the palate. This is seriously good stuff now that will cellar for at least another decade. Drink 2021-2035- 93

Owen Bargreen

Tri-Cities Wine Festival

Great Northwest Invitational Wine Competition

Seattle Wine Awards

The 2010 Runway Late Harvest Riesling was made with 50-60% botrytis infected fruit and finished with 15% residual sugar. Peaches, tropical fruits, honey, and botrytis aromas lead to a viscous, vibrant wine with superb natural acidity that frames the fruit brilliantly. This wine is all about pleasure; how long it will last is difficult to say but there is no rational reason to defer your gratification. By the way, it is also an outstanding value in sweet dessert wine.  – Jay S. Miller

Wine Advocate

Sharp scents with a light hint of cardboard, piercing lemon oil and pineapple, minerality and lemon tea. The flavors follow, and the wine has good concentration and depth, with a dry, toasted cracker and wet stone finish. It gets better and better in the mouth.  – Paul Gregutt

Wine Enthusiast

Both Cabernets are from 2021, the obvious difference being screwcap vs. composite cork. This is bigger, darker, more powerful and compact than the non-reserve bottle. Cassis, graphite, espresso, vanilla, tobacco and baking spices come out the more the wine breathes. I’d bet this has at least a decade of further improvement in the cellar, and quite possibly twice that.

Paul Gregutt

Just released, the reserve rests an extra year in barrel, though seemingly sees very little new oak. The accents of clove and cedar are there, but don’t get in the way of the blue and black fruits. In this vintage the acids pop out more than in ’22, and this reserve was sealed with composite cork rather than screwcap – all of which makes it a different wine from the regular bottling. It’s steely and tight, with compact power and streaks of iron filings and graphite. Retasted on the second day; the extra time opened it up and helped to smooth it out.

Paul Gregutt

As noted, the reserve level wines get a composite cork rather than a screwcap. Lovely blueberry and tangy raspberry fruit holds the palate here, coming into focus in a firm and balanced core. The acids and tannins are proportionate, and this winery keeps the new oak down even on its reserves, allowing the fruit to shine. The finish carries on adding layers of herbs, lemon verbena and citrus rind. 

Paul Gregutt

I think that this grape most often does best as a rosé here in Washington, and this is a very good one. A mix of rosewater, watermelon, strawberries and blood orange, it’s crisp but not at all sour, with a clean and lingering finish.

Paul Gregutt

Best Buy

Wine Enthusiast

Sangiovese, when ripened lightly, makes an excellent rosé, as it does here. There's a peppery note throughout, and the acid/fruit balance is spot on. With a bit of breathing time the wine gains concentration and brings up cherry pit flavors through the finish. 2552 cases; 12.2%; $18 (Yakima Valley) 91/100

Paul Gregutt

Best Buy! The Miller family and their winemaker, Travis Maple, used fruit from their historic 800-acre vineyard to produce two of the tastiest bargains in the 23rd annual Platinum. Their expression with this Italian red is bursting with aromas and flavors and does so in uber-dry fashion. Raspberry, cherry and watermelon provide beautiful layers as sensations of tangerine, grapefruit and pink peppercorns make for a rewarding finish. Qualifying award: Cascadia International (double gold) 
Rating: Double Platinum • 96 points
Production: 2,109 cases
Alcohol: 12.9%

Great Northwest Wine

Cascadia Wine Competition

Seattle Wine Awards

Great Northwest Invitational Wine Competition

Blueberries, cassis, peaches, nutmeg and sandalwood on the nose. Pretty and polished with a medium to full body, tight tannins and a toasty finish. Drink now or hold.

James Suckling

2018 Airfield Estates ‘Runway’ Red Wine- A right bank style wine comprised of 55% Merlot with the remainder Cabernet Franc, the 2018 ‘Runway’ shows rich cassis and mocha tones, with cocoa powder dusted black cherry and pipe tobacco accents on the palate. Full-bodied and showing plenty of bright acidity, this has some really nice aging potential. Drink 2021-2031- 92

Owen Bargreen

Tri-Cities Wine Festival

Seattle Wine Awards

This is principally from 45-year-old vines, and is sharply defined by the variety’s notable grassiness. It would especially please those who like a Loire Valley rather than a New Zealand style. It's balanced and clean, mixing flavors of pea vine, lemon oil, grapefruit rind and hibiscus tea, and just tart enough to whet the appetite. Give it a little bit of a chill and you’ll have an ideal hot weather white wine.

Paul Gregutt

Great Northwest Wine

San Antonio Stock Show and Rodeo Wine Competition

Best Buy

Wine Enthusiast

This is aromatic, with dried mango, glazed lemon and dried flowers. Medium-bodied and dry with a polished texture and some chalkiness. Crisp and tangy. Drink now. Screw cap.

James Suckling

Best Buy! National distributors are telling Northwest vintners that Sauvignon Blanc is drawing more attention from entry-level wine drinker. Here’s an ideal landing spot. Classic aromas of gooseberry and lemongrass lead to a palate that’s bright and happy with Granny Smith apple, starfruit and lovely pink grapefruit. And if you order a case, the Miller family will pay for the shipping. 
Qualifying Award: Cascadia International (double gold)
Rating: Double Platinum • 96 points
Production: 6,117 cases
Alcohol: 12.7%

Great Northwest Wine

Tri-Cities Wine Festival

Wine Spectator

Seattle Wine Awards

Seattle Wine Awards

Cascadia Wine Competition

Tri-Cities Wine Festival

Bright and lively, this is juicy with grapefruit and herb flavors, finishing with pizzazz.  – Harvey Steiman

Wine Spectator

Great Northwest Wine Invitational

The 2009 Spitfire is made up of 61% Sangiovese, 27% Cabernet Sauvignon, with the balance small amounts of Merlot, Petit Verdot, and Malbec. Malolactic fermentation occurred in barrel where the wine spent 11 months. Smoke, cherries, rose petal, spice box, tobacco, and cassis lead to a full-bodied, savory, structured wine with 1-2 years of aging potential. It displays good volume and a lengthy, pure finish.  – Jay S. Miller

Wine Advocate

This shows that some careful selection was happening during the winemaking. This classy Syrah has depth and balance, firm black fruits, hints of soy and truffle, excellent grip and texture. The aromatics are on point and inviting, and the length impressive. Syrah is a real strength at Airfield as this superb value proves.

A ripe, juicy Syrah that over-delivers for its' price. Enjoy notes of orange peel, blackberry, and cola, with very soft tannins in the distant background. A very approachable, soft and smooth expression of this grape, with abundant but not overdone fruit. For an $18 wine it's rare to use any much less 38% New French oak, and aged in barrels for 16 months before bottling, giving it just enough of the toasty notes. Only 1362 cases produced. 90 Points in the $15 to $25 Category - The Wine Panel

The Wine Panel

Regional Class Champion

Houston Rodeo Wine Competition

2018 Airfield Estates ‘Reserve’ Syrah- Given a 2% Viognier co-ferment, the 2018 ‘Reserve’ Syrah is an awesome new wine by the talented team of Marcus Miller and Travis Maple. The nose shows gobs of smoked meats with lavender, white pepper and sage undertones alongside a core of rich dark fruits. The palate is plush, showing a soft texture and a wonderful sense of depth and concentration. Bulls blood, blackberry cordial, mocha, tar and smoked brisket tones all wonderfully collide on the palate, with a good acid backbone. Enjoy this beautiful wine over the next decade. Drink 2021-2030- 92

Owen Bargreen

Tri-Cities Wine Festival

Of the more than 20 varieties grown across the Miller family’s 800+ acres in the foothills of Washington’s Rattlesnake Mountain, Syrah is among the standouts year-in and year-out, including the 2014 vintage. The 15 months in oak barrels helps account for jammy aromas of blueberry and cherry compote on toast, backed by a whiff of gaminess. They lead to flavors of plum and pomegranate, backed by dark chocolate and raspberry juice.

Great Northwest Wine

Seattle Wine Awards

This has a deeper, more savoury character than the Lone Birch label Syrah, with a lovely black cherry nose and voluptuous black and red fruit on the palate. There is less obvious vanilla here, but more grip in the form of velvety tannins. Great intensity and balance.  – James Button

Decanter Magazine

The 2009 Reserve Syrah was aged in 50% new Hungarian oak for 11 months. A glass-coating opaque purple color, it offers up alluring aromas of game, bacon, blueberry, lavender, and plum aromas. Mouth-filling, succulent, and structured, it has plenty of flavor but is quite one-dimensional at the moment.  – Jay S. Miller

Wine Advocate

A fine example of Yakima Valley Syrah, this is a chewy, dark, smoky, coffee and bitter chocolate-infused wine with immense staying power. The fruit provides a cassis and blackberry backbone; the tannins and smoke and oaky flavors roll on through the lengthy finish. Big, brawny and delicious.  – Paul Gregutt

Wine Enthusiast

The 2007 Syrah was co-fermented with 8% Viognier and aged in 30% new oak for 18 months. The wine gets a floral lift from the Viognier to complement the aromas of smoked meat, bacon, lavender, and blueberry. Round and succulent on the palate, this forward effort will deliver pleasure through 2017.  – Jay S. Miller

Wine Advocate

Polished, focused and distinctive for its let-it-all-hang out plum, violet, earth, meat and spice flavors, lingering on the supple finish.  – Harvey Steiman

Wine Spectator

Silky and tremendously appealing for its gentle nature and bright boysenberry fruit that has delicate spice overtones. The finish hovers elegantly.  – Harvey Steiman

Wine Spectator

Tri-Cities Wine Festival

The aromas pop, with notes of white flowers, pear and ripe peach. It's full bodied in feel, drinking dry with a textured feel and a drawn-out finish—a very pleasing example of the variety.  – Sean P. Sullivan

Wine Enthusiast