One of the standout Woodinville wineries, Two Vintners continues to impress with their latest releases. A highly talented winemaker, Morgan Lee has roots in the Midwest and was originally inspired to pursue the wine industry by a wine appreciation class that he enjoyed while attending Purdue University. Previously interning at Columbia Crest, Morgan makes a range of outstanding wines, including one of the best, if not the best, Zinfandel in Washington.
Be sure to check out their 2016 Two Vintners Grenache Blanc (WWB, 91) which shows marvelous tension and green fruit flavors that is a perfect pair for most Asian foods (think spicy!!!). Also outstanding was the great value 2015 Two Vinters ‘Columbia Valley’ Syrah (WWB, 92) which is a dense and loaded treat. Showing great Walla Walla Rocks character, the 2015 Two Vintners ‘Some Days Are Stones’ Syrah (WWB, 93) has great range and poise from a warm vintage in this region. Learn more about these great new releases at https://twovintners.com Here are the great new wines by Two Vintners.
2016 Two Vintners Grenache Blanc- This wine is sourced from the Boushey Vineyard. The wine was picked very early and Morgan Lee added 25% Roussanne (Olsen Vineyard) to the wine. The wine begins with aromatics of green apple, green papaya, and mango. The tension to this wine is really lovely. There is a silky mouthfeel and flavors of green papaya, Gravenstein apple and kumquat. This is refreshing and perfect for a hot summer day. Drink 2017-2022- 91
2016 Two Vintners ‘O’G’’ White Wine- This wine was first made in 2012. This is an orange wine made from Gewurtztraminer sourced from a block in the north slope in the Olsen Vineyard in the Yakima Valley AVA. The wine was left on the skins for eight weeks following fermentation and then was pressed and set in neutral French oak for ten months. There are highly fragrant aromatics of lychee, white peach and star jasmine. The mouthfeel is gorgeous as the wine showcases white peach, vanilla cream and crushed gardenia flavors. Drink 2017-2022- 91
2015 Make Haste Red Wine- This wine was originally a mistake wine made from Syrah and Sauvignon Blanc. It is now 100% Olsen Vineyard Cinsault fermented with native yeast. This is weighing in at 15.4% alcohol and wine is an aromatic blend of Asian spices, red currant and red cherry preserves. The mouthfeel and texture is lovely. Red fruits dominate the palate with vanilla cream and red raspberry liquor flavors impress. Drink 2017-2022- 91
2015 Two Vintners ‘Claire’ Grenache- This is the first vintage of this wine. Sourced from the Boushey Vineyard, this wine begins with aromatics of prune, red cherry preserves and hints of baking spices with dill. This has wonderful freshness considering the heat of the vintage. The wine shows off red cherry preserves, rose water and suggestions of baking spices with pomegranate puree. This a gorgeous feminine style wine with sterling acidity made by the talented hands of Morgan Lee. Drink 2017-2027- 92
2015 Two Vintners ‘Columbia Valley’ Syrah- This wine is a blend of fruit from the Olsen, Pepper Bridge, Discovery, Dineen, Stone Tree and Boyshey Vineyards. This has an inky core and begins with aromatics of Chinese black tea, black olive and suggestions of smoked pork shoulder. Ripe and downright delicious, the wine delivers milk chocolate, red cherry cough syrup and boysenberry pie flavors. Drink 2017-2024- 92
2015 Two Vintners ‘Some Days Are Diamonds’ Syrah- Sourced from the Discovery Vineyard the wine was aged in largely neutral oak prior to bottling This deep colored wine begins with aromas of smoked meats, black olive puree and suggestions of milk chocolate with baking spices. The minerality here is wonderful. The wine shows off milk chocolate, prune, baking spices and suggestions of smoked brisket flavors that sit alongside wonderful tension. The wine will cellar beautifully for a decade or more. Drink 2017-2027- 92
2015 Two Vintners ‘Some Days Are Stones’ Syrah- The wine shows off an inky color as the Syrah is entirely sourced from the Stoney Vine Vineyard. The wine was sourced in largely neutral oak with a touch of new oak puncheon fermentation. The wine was bottled following 18 months of fermentation. The Syrah begins with smoky aromatics of black tea, Asian spices, smoked short rib and Hoisin sauce with Umami. The mouthfeel is deep and plush. The minerarality there is outstanding. Burnt orange peel, red raspberry preserves, pomegranate seed and suggestions of seaweed complete this awesome bottling. Drink 2017-2026- 93
2015 Two Vintners ‘Lola’ Red Wine- The wine is 100% Walls Walla fruit sourced from the Stoney Vine, Yellow Jacket and the Pepper Bridge Vineyards. This inky wine begins with aromatics of bulls blood, black tea, smoke and soy sauce. This has marvelous weight and length. Black forest cake, black tea, baking spices and milk chocolate flavors impress. The tension in the wine completes this excellent bottling that finishes with some light tannins. Drink 2017-2027- 92
2015 Two Vintners Merlot- Sourced form largely the Pepper Bridge as well as Sheridan and Stone Tree Vineyards, the wine has 5% Cabernet Franc and 5% Petit Verdot blended in. The wine was aged in 60% new French oak (22 months). The wine opens with a ripe bouquet of rose petals, back tea, blackberry pie and black cherry. The tension in the wine is outstanding. Black fruits connect with black tea and milk chocolate flavors that sit alongside some serious acidity, This is an outstanding wine made by the talented hands of Morgan Lee. Drink 2017-2028- 92
2014 Two Vintners ‘Legit’ Red Wine- Primarily Cabernet, this wine has some lesser parts Petit Verdot, Cabernet Franc and Merlot blended in. The wine is sourced from the Discovery, Stone Tree, Pepper Bridge, Dineen, Kiona Vineyards. This inky colored wine opens with a bright bouquet of mocha, cigar box, creme de cassis and black olive, The mid-palate wight is really nice, as is the minerality. Black tea, black olive, coffee grounds and milk chocolate flavors impress. Lithe and downright delicious, this wine will have a long life in the cellar. Drink 2017-2030- 92
2014 Two Vintners ‘Sal’ Cabernet Sauvignon- Sourced from the Discovery Vineyard, this wine is named after the winemaker’s wife. Mocha, black tea and smoked pork shoulder dominate the aromatics. The tension here is really nice considering the obvious heat of the vintage. Blackberry, black tea and coffee ground flavors impress. The wine will cellar marvelously for a decade or more as this has marvelous balance and is made in the Bordelaise style. Drink 2017-2028- 92
2015 Two Vintners ‘Oliver’ Red Wine- Named after the winemaker’s son, the inky colored wine is an intriguing blend of 60% Petite Sirah, 20% Syrah and 20% Grenache. The wine opens with a bright bouquet of smoked meats, black olive, crushed mint and sagebrush accents. This has serious weight and tension. Black tea, smoked brisket, dark chocolate shavings and blueberry pie flavors impress. This has marvelous length, showing off a long finish. Drink 2017-2027- 93
2015 Two Vintners Zinfandel- Uber-dark and intense, this wine begins with brambly flavors of red cherry, dill, spice box and anise. This is burly and downright unctuous on the mid-palate. Cigar box, black tea, red cherry preserves and sagebrush flavors impress. Downright delicious, with serious acidity, this wine is one of a kind out of Washington state. Drink 2017-2026- 91