Review: Two Mountain Winery 2011 Chardonnay

photo: A kick ass Chardonnay.

This Washington Chardonnay delivers the goods.

Today it's raining and the wind is threatening the Columbia Valley. That's okay with me, I know that sunny skies and warmer weather are just days away. Which means it's almost grilling season. Today I'm dreaming of grilling up some brawts and enjoying another bottle of Two Mountain Chardonnay. Yes, this white wine is for grilling.

Two Mountain Winery is located in the Rattlesnake Hills AVA, one of many wineries in the area. My last visit to Two Mountain Winery was in 2007, when I attended Two Mountain Vineyards “Vineyard Management” class taught by Matt Rawn. They are producing some kick-ass wines. I must get back and visit again.

Tasting Notes:
Color: Bright gold.
Nose: Yeasty, toasted with nutmeg, pear, caramel, a whiff of petrol and ginger.
Palate: Bready, good weight on the tongue, lush. The yeasty toast followed into the almost bright, almost creamy finish. As the wine warmed up pear, nutmeg and ginger added to the finish.

After 30 minutes this wine was lovey down the mid-palate, a taste treat of vanilla, cream and pear, even a bit livelier and invigorating. Minerality more obvious on the finish. Big like for this wine.

I'd pair the Two Mountain Winery 2011 Chardonnay with something smoky, like grilled shrimp, BBQ ribs, those brawts and smoked turkey. Yeah, I'd drink this wine with anything off the grill. This was a lovely bottle of wine. Strongly Recommended.

photo: Two Mountain Chardonnay with dinner.

Blend: 100% Chardonnay
Vineyard: Copeland Vineyards, Rattlesnake Hills AVA
Closure: Natural cork
ABV 13.3%
Sample provided by the winery

Two Mountain Winery is owned and operated by brothers Matthew and Patrick Rawn. Their family has been farming in the Rattlesnake Hills area of Washington State’s Yakima Valley for more than half a century. In 1951, their grandfather established Schmidt Orchards with 40 acres of peaches, apricots, prunes, and apples. Copeland Vineyard was planted in 2000 with uncle, Ron Schmidt, they crushed their first vintage in 2002. Today, three generations contribute to Two Mountain Winery and their 26-acre estate vineyard.

*Note: This winery has great customer feedback on Yelp.

Grown, Produced and Bottled
by Two Mountain Winery
2151 Cheyne Rd Zillah, WA 98953
(509) 829-3900
www.twomountainwinery.com

Tasting room: Open to the public President’s Day Weekend through November, 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. daily and by appointment.

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