Appearance: Translucent ruby-garnet with brilliant clarity and a vibrant purple-pink rim.
Nose: Expressive and aromatic with bright red fruits (wild strawberry, raspberry, red cherry) leading, complemented by delicate floral notes (violet, rose petal), white pepper, and subtle herbs. Secondary aromas reveal hints of cinnamon stick, orange peel, and a distinctive mineral quality characteristic of Washington State Cinsault.
Palate: Medium-bodied with remarkable vibrancy and elegance. The entry presents juicy red fruit flavors framed by mouthwatering acidity and fine-grained, silky tannins. The mid-palate shows impressive complexity for Cinsault—layers of spice, subtle herbal notes, and a distinctive earthy minerality complement the primary fruit character. The texture reveals both delicacy and surprising depth, capturing Cinsault's characteristic lightness while delivering satisfying structure and complexity.
Finish: Long and energetic with persistent red fruit gradually giving way to subtle spice and mineral notes. The finish maintains impressive tension between fruit, acidity, and gentle tannins—creating a wine that's both immediately appealing and thought-provoking.
Producer: Two Vintners
Region: Columbia Valley, Washington State
Varietal: 100% Cinsault
Vintage: 2022
Alcohol: 13.8% ABV
Fermentation: Native yeasts in stainless steel
Aging: 6-8 months in neutral French oak barrels
Production: Limited production (approximately 300 cases)
Closure: Natural cork
The 2022 Two Vintners Make Haste Cinsault sources exclusively from Olsen Vineyard in the Yakima Valley AVA within Washington's broader Columbia Valley region. This site features sandy, well-drained soils with significant diurnal temperature variations that create ideal conditions for developing complex aromatics while maintaining crucial acidity—particularly important for capturing Cinsault's delicate character.
The 2022 growing season in Washington State provided near-perfect conditions for Cinsault. A cool spring transitioned to a moderate summer without extreme heat, allowing for gradual ripening and extended hang time. These conditions permitted optimal phenolic development while preserving the bright acidity and aromatic complexity that define high-quality Cinsault.
Harvested by hand at optimal ripeness, the fruit was primarily destemmed with a small percentage of whole clusters included to enhance aromatic complexity and add subtle structure. Fermentation proceeded with indigenous yeasts in stainless steel tanks with gentle extraction techniques to preserve the variety's delicate character while building subtle structure. Following fermentation, the wine aged in neutral French oak barrels for 6-8 months, allowing for gentle maturation and integration without adding obvious oak character.
The name "Make Haste" references both the early-drinking, approachable nature of Cinsault and winemaker Morgan Lee's philosophy of creating wines that capture the pure expression of variety and place without unnecessary manipulation or extended aging requirements.
Founded in 2007 by Morgan Lee and Donavon Claflin, Two Vintners has established itself as one of Washington State's most exciting boutique wineries. Based in Woodinville but sourcing fruit primarily from premium vineyards throughout the Columbia Valley, the winery has gained recognition for showcasing both classic varieties and lesser-known grapes that thrive in Washington's diverse growing regions.
Winemaker Morgan Lee (who also makes wine for Covington Cellars) has developed a reputation for his skilled, minimal-intervention approach that emphasizes varietal purity and site expression. His philosophy embraces experimentation and exploration of varieties and techniques while maintaining a commitment to quality and authenticity.
Two Vintners' approach to Cinsault represents their broader philosophy—finding exceptional vineyard sources for sometimes overlooked varieties and allowing them to express their true character through thoughtful, restrained winemaking. While Cinsault is often relegated to a blending role in its native southern France, Two Vintners showcases its potential as a captivating single-varietal wine when grown in Washington's ideal conditions.
The winery produces a diverse portfolio including Rhône varieties (Syrah, Grenache), Bordeaux grapes (Merlot, Cabernet Franc), and Italian varieties (Sangiovese), with each wine reflecting both the distinctive character of Washington terroir and Morgan Lee's skilled, distinctive winemaking approach.