Two Mountain Winery Lemberger · Rattlesnake Hills, Washington · 2023

The Moment

This is the bottle that gets opened when you want red wine… but not the usual red wine.

The weather’s cooling off, something savory is on the stove, and someone pours a glass that smells like blackberry, white pepper, and plum — bright enough to stay lively, but grounded enough to feel like dinner just got more interesting.

That’s the charm of the 2023 Two Mountain Lemberger.

It’s one of those bottles that makes people stop mid-sip and ask,
“Wait… what grape is this?”

What It Feels Like

Lemberger (also known as Blaufränkisch) is one of Washington’s most underrated red grapes — a little peppery, a little juicy, and almost always more versatile than people expect.

Two Mountain has long been one of the producers helping keep the grape visible here, and their 2023 bottling is exactly why that matters.

The winery describes it as light-bodied with medium acid and chock-full of character, with white pepper, currant, and blackberry on the nose, followed by plum, vanilla, and toasted almond on the palate.

This vintage also gets a little extra polish from 16 months in 100% French oak, which adds shape and texture without stripping away the wine’s natural lift.

This is the red you open when Pinot Noir feels too soft and Cabernet feels too serious.

In the Glass

Aromatics
White pepper, currant, blackberry, and a subtle floral-spice edge.

Palate
Plum, dark berries, vanilla, and toasted almond with a lightly savory finish.

Texture
Light-bodied with medium acidity and a lifted, energetic feel.

Finish
Fresh, peppery, and polished with a quietly persistent spice note.

Why We Love This Bottle

Washington Wine Geek Gold
Lemberger is one of those grapes that always overdelivers if you know where to look.

Light on Its Feet, Not Light on Character
This is not a heavy red — it’s bright, savory, and packed with personality.

A Great Food Red
The winery literally suggests smoked gouda mac’n’cheese, mushroom risotto, and split pea soup, which tells you exactly what kind of bottle this is.

This is the kind of red that feels like a cool-weather sleeper hit.

Pair It With

• Mushroom risotto
• Smoked gouda mac & cheese
• Split pea soup
• Roast chicken with herbs
• Sausage + lentils

Two Mountain’s own pairing suggestions for the 2023 include smoked gouda mac’n’cheese, mushroom risotto, and split pea soup (with or without a meaty ham hock).

Technical Notes

Producer: Two Mountain Winery
Wine: Lemberger
Region: Rattlesnake Hills, Washington

Vintage: 2023

Blend: 80% Lemberger, 10% Merlot, 5% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Syrah
Vineyard: Copeland Vineyard
Barrel Aging: 16 months in 100% French oak
Production: 281 cases

Body: Light
Acidity: Medium / lively

Flavor Profile
White Pepper · Currant · Blackberry · Plum · Vanilla · Toasted Almond

Serving Temperature
55–60°F

Drink Window
Now–2033