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POSTED: Tuesday, Dec. 02, 2008

Yakima Valley wineries shine with new offerings

Today I'd like to feature a few wines from wineries in Washington's Rattlesnake Hills Appellation. Both are near the town of Zillah, about 20 miles east of Yakima.

Brothers Matthew and Patrick Rawn own and operate Two Mountain Winery, and it's been fun to watch their wines improve over the last few years. Current offerings include their 2005 Merlot (about $20), which I absolutely love because it has a wonderful fragrance of cedar and berries and flavors that remind me of wild thimbleberries.

Another delicious red wine is the 2005 Syrah (about $22), with generous black cherry flavors on the mid-palate, ample tannins, and a slightly smoky finish. And the 2007 Off-Dry Riesling (about $15) is also a smash hit, packaged in a beautiful blue bottle. The wine's floral and peach aromas are followed by a mouthful of stone fruit flavors that abruptly, yet pleasantly, end in a nearly bone-dry finish.

Wineglass Cellars is another Yakima Valley winery whose wines have continued to add depth and character over the years. Owners David and Linda Lowe have reason to be pleased with their full slate of current releases, which include the newly released 2005 Merlot (about $22). It has a faint fragrance of hazelnuts, restrained cherry flavors, sturdy tannins, and a finish of toasted oak.

Also notable is the 2003 Rich Harvest, a blend of cabernet, merlot, and cabernet franc. This is a beautifully balanced wine, with layers of dark currant and blackberry flavors that melt into a plush finish. The $50-a-bottle price is a bit steep, but it makes for a nice splurge during the holidays.

You can purchase Two Mountain wines locally at Purple Smile Wines, and can learn more about their other wines at a slick, new Web site: www.twomountainwinery.com.

Wineglass Cellars wines are well distributed in the Bellingham area at most wine shops, the Food Pavilion and selected Haggen stores.

Dan Radil is a wine enthusiast who lives in Bellingham. Reach him at www.danthewineguy.com.