From: Columbia Valley, Washington
Varietals: Cabernet Sauvignon, Zinfindel, Petit Verdot
Tasting Notes: The aromatics begins with lush dark red fruit and a pronounced hint of black pepper. Dive deeper, and you'll detect barrel spice, vanilla, and herb notes, all intertwined with cherry, red, and black fruits. On the palate, the wine boasts cherries and cranberries with a lingering peppery finish. The flavors are bold and robust, and the tannins, while pronounced, are far from overwhelming.
Pairing: Often, meatloaf's potential downfall is its tendency to become dry and flavorless, especially when overcooked or made with lean meats. This leads many to resort to ketchup glazes to reintroduce some zest. Its vibrant red hues and robust profile bring out the best in meatloaf, negating any blandness. Young Cabernet Sauvignons are particularly effective, as the tannins meld beautifully with the high protein content of the meatloaf. This doesn't just elevate the wine's juiciness and enriches the meatloaf's savoriness, thanks to how tannins interact with proteins.
Fancy Meatloaf
Adapted by Sam Sifton
This wine. In the esteemed Columbia Valley AVA, a distinctive wine has been birthed from a rich blend of the finest vineyards: Pepper Bridge, Dineen, May's Discovery, StoneTree, and Pollard. The Legit predominantly consists of 75% Cabernet Sauvignon, a touch of 20% Zinfandel, and a 5% dash of Petit Verdot. This intricate blend was aged in a mix of 60% new French and American oak for 18 months before it was bottled, ensuring its opulent flavors and aromas.
The 2021 Legit narrates a unique story: Two Vintners' bold venture into the expansive realm of Washington Cabernet Sauvignon. The wine encapsulates the best of Washington's iconic vineyards. While crafting a wine dominated by fruit flavors would have been easy, Two Vintners sought to challenge the conventional. The result is Legit, a wine that beautifully merges fruitiness with savory flavors. Thanks to the addition of Zinfandel, there are delightful undertones of bright berries. The name "Legit" was chosen as a playful nod to the wine's undeniable quality without an air of pretension.
About, general. In the realm of wine, trends come and go. But when Two Vintners emerged in 2009, its founding mission was to champion the underestimated. The brand's inception saw a collaboration between Morgan Lee, a burgeoning winemaker, and David and Cindy Lawson of Covington Cellars. Their united vision? To spotlight the hidden gems of Washington's wine scene: Syrah and Merlot. While others may have cast aside these varietals, they were celebrated as the state's finest offerings by those in the know. The defiance against prevailing tastes formed the bedrock of Two Vintners' identity.
This audacious spirit continued to be the compass guiding Two Vintners, propelling them to craft singular wines that stood out in the market. A wine experience at Two Vintners is nothing short of an odyssey. It invites wine enthusiasts to journey beyond the conventional, exploring innovative styles and fresh varietals. They aim to illuminate the exceptional character and diversity of Washington wines.
The mastermind steering this voyage is none other than Morgan Lee. With a deep reverence for the land and grape, Lee believes in a minimalist approach to winemaking. This restraint allows the wine to sing its tune, expressing its inherent traits and the essence of its origin. Lee's distinctive perspective has earned him a place in the constellation of the wine world's rising stars. Esteemed publications like Seattle Met, Forbes, Jancis Robinson, Wine Spectator, and Sip Magazine have sung praises of his craft. Moreover, his creations have found favor among discerning sommeliers and local specialty wine shops.
Anchoring their winemaking is the Columbia Valley AVA, a vast expanse of over 11 million acres in Washington State, cradling more than 40,000 acres of lush vineyards. The terrain, marked by its arid desert climate, punctuated with warm summers and chilly winters, provides a sanctuary for the Grenache grape. This varietal revels in such warm, dry conditions, making it a natural fit for the region.
Two Vintners' inaugural vision, which centered on the prominence of Syrah and Merlot, has only grown in depth and dimension. Over the years, their adventurous spirit led them to embrace a medley of Rhone grapes, ranging from Cinsault and Grenache to their foundational Syrah. This evolution birthed an array of intriguing blends, each telling its tale: ‘Legit’, a dominant Bordeaux blend leaning into Cabernet Sauvignon; 'Lola', an intriguing dance between Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah; and 'Oliver', a rich tapestry of Syrah, Petite Sirah, and Grenache. Not to be missed is 'OG', a wine that is a pure ode to Gewurztraminer. It's also noteworthy that alongside Morgan Lee in this vinous adventure is Graham Whye, with whom Lee crafts an annual Grenache Blanc.
