Brothers Matthew and Patrick Rawn established Two Mountain Winery in 2002. Located in the Yakima Valley of Washington State, Two Mountain Winery is named for the two mountains, Mt. Rainier and Mt. Adams, which form the beautiful backdrop of their estate vineyard. They planted Copeland Vineyard in 2000 on land that their family has farmed since 1951. It provides 90 percent of the fruit they use to produce their wines. Matthew Rawn has served as winemaker since the winery’s inception. Two Mountain produces about 3,500 cases per year.

Recently, we had the opportunity to taste a number of Two Mountain wines in a blind samples tasting. While we thought all five of these red wines were good and would recommend all of them, we especially enjoyed the 2008 Cabernet Franc Reserve. It is excellent.

This samples tasting was my first introduction to the wines of Two Mountain Winery. Since the tasting, though, I have noticed their wines on the wine lists at a couple of local Seattle restaurants.

2008 Two Mountain Cabernet Franc Reserve (Yakima Valley, Washington): Dark red in color. Nice nose with red fruit and vegetal aromas. Red fruit, bell pepper, and spice come through on the palate. Medium to full-bodied with good acidity and medium, drying tannins. Well-balanced with a long, smooth finish.
Quality: 4 stars (out of 5)
QPR: 3 bangs for your buck (out of 5)
Where to buy: Received as sample, suggested retail $30; Available elsewhere, $33

NV Two Mountain Hidden Horse Red Table Wine VIII (Washington State): Deep, dark purplish red. Nice nose with floral and vegetal aromas. More vegetal notes and red fruit come through on the palate. Medium to full-bodied with lively acidity, medium tannins, and a medium to long finish.
Quality: 3 stars (out of 5)
QPR: 4 bangs for your buck (out of 5)
Where to buy: Received as sample, suggested retail $15; Available elsewhere, $13 to $15

2008 Two Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon (Yakima Valley, Washington): Dark purple. Aromatic with licorice and black fruit on the nose. Black cherry dominates the palate. Medium to full-bodied with lively acidity, medium to high tannins, and a medium to long finish.
Quality: 3 stars (out of 5)
QPR: 4 bangs for your buck (out of 5)
Where to buy: Received as sample, suggested retail $25

2008 Two Mountain Merlot (Yakima Valley, Washington): Dark red. Aromatic and fruit-forward with red fruit, plum, spice, and a touch of leather on the nose and palate. Medium to full-bodied with lively acidity, medium to high tannins, and a medium to long finish.
Quality: 3 stars (out of 5)
QPR: 3 bangs for your buck (out of 5)
Where to buy: Received as sample, suggested retail $20

2010 Two Mountain Lemberger (Rattlesnake Hills, Washington): Medium-deep ruby red in color. Aromatic with strawberry and raspberry notes on the nose. More red fruits as well as earth come through on the palate. Medium-bodied with lively acidity, medium tannins, and a medium, slightly bitter, finish.
Quality: 3 stars (out of 5)
QPR: 1 bang for your buck (out of 5)
Where to buy: Received as sample, suggested retail $16; Available elsewhere, $15

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