97 Points and $24.95: Two Mountain Winery
A few months back, an old friend in the wine business turned me on to the wines of Two Mountain. Previously unknown to me, I trusted his palate and sent a request for samples to the winery. Shortly afterward, I tasted through the range and was immediately impressed by both the quality and the exceptional value for money.
Two Mountain is run by two brothers from a multi-generational farming family in the Yakima Valley. The land was initially dedicated to arable crops before orchards became the family’s focus in the 1950s. Then, in 2000, the third generation planted its first vines in what would later become the Rattlesnake Hills sub-AVA of Yakima Valley. The winery takes its name from the views of Mount Rainier and Mount Adams in the Cascade Mountains from the estate.
The Two Mountain wines have a distinctive Old World feel. They show structure, modest alcohol levels, and more savory varietal expressions—tobacco, cedar, leather, and stony, earthy components. After tasting them with the K&L staff, we felt the wines would appeal just as much to Bordeaux drinkers as to folks who typically gravitate toward the more polished, fruit-driven wines of Napa or Paso Robles.
I put together an initial order to ship directly from the winery, as they didn’t previously have distribution in California. Even though the wines were relatively unknown here, I was convinced they would be well received—especially at the sharp pricing that working directly with the winery allowed.
Then, right after my initial order shipped, James Suckling published a report on Washington wines and dropped a bunch of huge scores on the Two Mountain lineup for many of the very same reasons I’d been so excited about them! I immediately doubled down on my initial order, and now the wines are finally here and ready to share with you.
2025 Two Mountain Rattlesnake Hills Yakima Valley Sauvignon Blanc $12.95 (Elsewhere $20+) 93JS A bright, fresh style loaded with citrus and tropical fruit. Fermented entirely in stainless steel to preserve all that zesty fruit character, with a dash of Sémillon for good measure. An amazing value!
2025 Two Mountain Rattlesnake Hills Yakima Valley Rosé $12.95 (Elsewhere $20+) A really fun, crisp, dry rosé made from estate-grown Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon. Wonderfully tart red berry fruits, hints of freshly picked herbs, and spiced citrus peel. Super refreshing and seriously easy drinking.
2023 Two Mountain Rattlesnake Hills Yakima Valley Merlot $21.95 95JS 93DC One of my favorite wines in the Two Mountain lineup. This bottle makes a great argument for a Merlot resurgence. Juicy, fresh black fruits, huckleberry, cocoa nib, and hints of cigar box lead into a suave texture and lovely balance. Bright acidity keeps the plush fruit nicely linear and energetic. Excellent Merlot for a song!
2023 Two Mountain "Reserve" Rattlesnake Hills Yakima Valley Cabernet Franc $24.95 95JS 94DC Once again, this wine doesn’t shy away from the true character of the variety. This is a Cabernet Franc lover’s Cab Franc. Soaring aromas of dried flowers, tobacco leaf, camphor, redcurrant, dried thyme, and bay leaf. Medium-bodied with a silky mid-palate and lots of energy and drive on the finish, loaded with dusty red fruits and leafy tones.
This one evolves beautifully in the glass, so give it a 20–30 minute decant and watch the layers emerge. Again, what a value!
2023 Two Mountain Rattlesnake Hills Yakima Valley Cabernet Sauvignon $24.95 97JS 93DC This is the wine that really sealed the deal for me with Two Mountain. It’s a total showstopper. Wildly aromatic and packed with blackcurrant, elderberry, unsmoked cigar, briar patch, crushed rock, leather, toasted spices, and subtle lavender.
Fuller-bodied than the Merlot or Cabernet Franc, but still very much in the mid-weight class, it prioritizes varietal expression and balance over sheer power and ripeness. The wine aged for 19 months in a judicious 25% new French oak, just enough to gently polish the edges.
Something like Bordeaux meets Mount Veeder? It’s hard to put my finger on exactly what this wine reminds me of. Maybe it’s simply pure Washington goodness at a ludicrously accessible price point.
97 points and $24.95!?