I finally had a chance to visit Airfield Estates in their prime location in the Hollywood District, where parking can often be disastrous. I was pleasantly surprised by the well crafted wine at very reasonable pricing. Their estate vineyard lies in Yakima Valley, with some old vines planted back in the late 60s.
I loved the 2021 Pinot Gris, 2022 Sauvignon Blanc, both great values for the summer, and the 2020 Founders Series Michael Miller, a well blended GSM (or rather SGM in this case).
2021 Pinot Gris
Nicely weighted, offering peach and pineapple, savory herb, citrus peel, concrete with rounded acidity and a lengthy finish. Good value. $20. Score 92.
2021 Chardonnay
Half half french oak and concrete. An interesting interplay of lime and melon, gently oaked. Silky, creamy, and full on the palate, finishing with soft lemons. Good value. $17. Score 92.
2022 Sauvignon Blanc
Juicy lime, fleshy apricot with notes of baked apple, vanilla. The palate is racy, finish is crisp and dry with citrus peel. $17. Score 91.
2022 Sangiovese Rose
Fleshy peach, ruby grapefruit, watermelon and lime with notes of white flower. $18. Score 90.
2019 Reserve Merlot
Soft on the palate with plum, dark and candied cherries, red currants and cocoa nibs explode and resolve with a long finish of strong tobacco, pencil lead, and drying tannins. $35. Score 91.
2020 Founders Series Michael Miller
80% Syrah, 10% Grenache, 9% Mourvedre, 1% Viognier. Heavy black and white pepper and juicy black and red plum, tobacco and dark chocolate. Focused and lengthy. $50. Score 92.
2020 Reserve Syrah
Silky soft and weightless on the palate, up front with black and blueberries, finishing with drying tobacco leaf, dark chocolate and slightly grippy tannins. $35. Score 91.
2020 Grenache
Enticing nose of cherries, rose petals, white pepper and toffee. A light and refreshingly dry grenache, offering strawberrie preserves, raspberries, rhubarb, with a drying finish of tobacco and light smoke. An excellent appetizer summer Grenache. $40. Score 91.
