Nine Hats
Typically living under a very long shadow (no pun intended), Nine Hats, founded in 2007, has previously been made as the second wine of the esteemed Long Shadows Vintners.. I’ve tried these wines over the years and none have exceeded the current new Nine Hats releases which are excellent across the board. The white wines are balanced, considering the heat of the vintages, and their red wines are deep, complex and simply delicious. Eminent head winemaker Giles Nicault sources from some of the best vineyards in the Columbia Valley for these wines. The idea behind these wines, compared to the Long Shadows wines, is that the Nine Hats series is made for immediate consumption. I found most of the red wines in particular to drink exceptionally well the second and third day after sampling, as these new release wines have a ton of density, considering their price point.
Look for their 2015 Nine Hats Riesling (WWB, 90), which is one of the best value Rieslings that I have sampled in the state. While this doesn’t have the poise and depth of the Long Shadows ‘Poet’s Leap’ the wine shows exceedingly good range and brightness. Also check out the 2014 Nine Hats ‘Red Wine’ (WWB, 91), a shockingly good and rich red blend that captures the heat of the vintage. One of the best Washington Cabernet values that I’ve sampled in the past few months, the 2014 Nine Hats Cabernet (WWB, 91) shows depth, richness and a wonderful range of dark fruits on the mid-palate. Learn more about these very good wines at http://www.ninehatswines.com
2015 Nine Hats Riesling- This bright wine begins with aromatics of Meyer lemon blossom, Gravenstein apple and crushed wet rock. The palate yields ripe flavors of lightly candied pink grapefruit, Mandarin orange rind and Gala apple that sits alongside some lovely minerality. This is an excellent value white wine out of Washington. Drink 2016-2021- 90
2014 Nine Hats Chardonnay-Having a wonderful honey hue, the wine opens with aromas of poached pear, creme brulee, banana and suggestions of baking spices. There are rich flavors of banana, heavy whipping cream, Bartlett pear and New York Apple pie, leading to a long 30 plus second vanilla laced finish. This is the true Washington style of Chard. Drink 2016-2022- 90
2014 Nine Hats Viognier- This wine opens with aromatics of lychee, peach pit, French vanilla and lemon curd. There are flavors reminiscent of cantaloupe, vanilla cream, green papaya and Granny Smith apple. Clearly done in the bright, rather than reductive style, the wine is perfect for a hot summer day. Drink 2016-2020-89
2014 Nine Hats Merlot-This deep hued Merlot smells of sweet red cherries, red raspberry, blackberry pie and suggestions of roasted dates. The palate yields rich flavors of black cherry, mocha, black raspberry cordial, with baking spices and dill accents. Plush and wonderfully balanced, enjoy this over the next decade. Drink 2016-2025- 90
2014 Nine Hats Red Wine-This wine is beautifully perfumed with rose petals, black cherry, wild blackberry cobbler and hints of milk chocolate fudge. There are deep flavors of black olive, black cherry, anise and creme de cassis that sit alongside lovely minerality. This is an exceedingly good wine for the price. Drink 2016-2026- 91
2014 Nine Hats Cabernet- Having an inky, deep core, the Cabernet opens with an aromatic profile of anise, creme de cassis, black olive, milk chocolate and baking spices. The palate is plush, as flavors of creme de cassis, dark chocolate shavings, coffee grounds and black cherry shine through. The silky texture and mouthfeel add to the experience. This will cellar well into the next decade. Drink 2016-2027- 91
2014 Nine Hats Malbec- An exceedingly good wine, the 2014 Nine Hats Malbec begins with a bouquet of blueberry compote, pipe tobacco, dark chocolate pie and cassis. The palate is rich and layered, yielding flavors reminiscent of mocha, creme de cassis, blueberry preserves and a graphite edge. The weight on the mid-palate and dark fruit flavors call for a juicy ribeye. Drink 2016-2026- 91
2014 Nine Hats Syrah- This excellent Syrah wine starts with an aromatic profile reminiscent of black olive, black plum, sage, black cherry and mocha. There are rich flavors of baking spices, black cherry, black olive, and blackberry pie. What this might lack in terroir it makes up in delicious ripe dark fruit flavors that sit alongside a nice mineral steak. Drink 2016-2024- 90