Airfield Estates ‘Hellcat’ Red Blend
WHY WE LOVE IT
- The Airfield Estates Hellcat is a premium Spanish-inspired red blend.
- 100% estate grown in a vegan manner.
- Produced by Airfield Estates Winery in Washington’s Yakima Valley, it primarily features Tempranillo and Syrah, offering a bold, full-bodied profile with rich dark fruit and savory notes.
- This wine is named after the Grumman F6F Hellcat, a fighter aircraft used in World War II and honors the historic WWII pilot training base on the family property.
Varietal: 58% Tempranillo 42% Syrah
Elaboration: The Hellcat Red Blend is made from Reserve Tier blocks in the Yakima Valley AVA. The Tempranillo was harvested and fermented in concrete, while the Syrah was fermented in small tanks. Both varietals underwent a three-day cold soak and careful extraction. After fermentation, the wines were pressed and aged in French oak barrels for 22 months, with bi-monthly stirring for texture, followed by an additional month in concrete before bottling.
Tasting Notes: The Hellcat is a full-bodied blend of Tempranillo and Syrah, showcasing aromas of dark blue fruits, fresh blueberry, and boysenberry jam, with hints of orange oil and smoked truffle. Its velvety palate features layers of cassis, cocktail olives, and smoked meats, balanced by minerality. With silky tannins and well-integrated oak, it has a long, creamy finish, best enjoyed now or cellar up to 15 years.
PRESS
n/a
PRODUCER BACKGROUND
Airfield Estates is a fourth-generation vineyard located in Yakima Valley, Washington, operated by siblings Marcus Miller and Lori Stevens. The property was originally a World War II training base, which was sold to the Miller family for just $1 after it closed in 1944. H. Lloyd Miller played a crucial role in securing funding for the Rosa Canal Project, which enabled irrigation for the vineyard. In 1967, their grandfather, Don Miller, planted test varietals, and by 1971, the vineyard had expanded to include over 20 commercial varieties, establishing it as Washington’s oldest AVA.