2015 Two Vintners Legit Cabernet Sauvignon Columbia Valley 750 ml

93-Point Red from Washington’s Hottest Producer

This particular Cabernet more than lives up to its name: The 2015 Two Vintners Legit Red is, indeed, legit. And the vintners who conceived and crafted it are among the most visionary, up-and-coming producers in the entire Pacific Northwest. 

In his effusive 93-point review, critic Jeb Dunnuck dispensed with any sense of critical remove and proclaimed that the wines of Two Vintners “continue to knock it out of the park. These are ripe, opulent, sexy wines that deliver tons of fruit, yet stays balanced and light on the palate. Count me in as a fan.”

It all started back in 2007, when David and Cindy Lawson, the owners of Covington Cellars, partnered with winemaker Morgan Lee to found Two Vintners. Their idea was deceptively simple yet incredibly brave: to swim against the current of the trends and accepted wisdom of what consumers supposedly wanted to drink. That meant working with Merlot and Syrah instead of more widely loved varieties, and then evolved to include crafting wines built on the most clamored-for variety of all—Cabernet Sauvignon—but sourced from rare, tucked-away vineyards that would bring something thoroughly new and exciting to the wine, including splashes of unique grape varieties rarely associated with Washington.

In other words, Lee and the Lawsons had guts.

It has paid off. Their wine club has gained serious traction among collectors who prize authenticity and a profound sense of place in the wine they drink. And the critical reception has been nothing short of effusive—earning stratospheric 95 point scores from Wine Spectator—no small feat for wines at and under the $50 mark.

Which brings us to this 2015. It’s crafted from 97% Cabernet Sauvignon, itself divided among Discovery Vineyard in Horse Heaven Hills, Pepper Bridge Vineyard in Walla Walla, and Stone Tree Vineyard in Wahluke Slope. The mosaic of terroirs and micro-climates that combine in this Cab have resulted in an expression of Cabernet that is uniquely complex and complete. A dash of 3% Petit Verdot from the Kiona Vineyard from Red Mountain adds a plushness to the wine’s firm tannins. The entire cuvee was aged in 60% new French oak for 22 months, giving it incredible structure and notes of vanilla, clove, and spice. This jewel hasn’t even hit the market yet.

With mind-blowing aromas of earth, currants, and roasted beets, and rich boysenberry and kirsch flavors complicated by licorice, yerba mate tea, camphor, and olive tapenade, this is a wine that more than delivers on the promise of its name. In fact, we loved it so much that we committed to nearly ⅓ of the entire production of this wine—that’s how legit we know it is. We’re confident that you’ll agree.