Today we share one of the outstanding value producers in the Pacific Northwest. Nine Hats is the brainchild of the Long Shadows project, as all Nine Hats wines are crafted in Walla Walla by famed winemaker Gilles Nicault. The idea was to craft delicious and highly approachable wines that are value everyday wines. These wines come from some of the same acclaimed vineyards as the Long Shadows wines, but they are made to be easier to drink and more geared towards everyday consumption. They have been on innumerable restaurant lists as glass pours because they are wines that consistently offer fantastic QPR.
The new set of releases are the finest overall that I have tasted. I adored the new 2021 Nine Hats ‘Columbia Valley’ Pinot Gris (OB, 91) which is ripe and shows beautiful texture at a mere 15 dollars retail. The best wine I tasted (and the best Nine Hats wine I have ever tasted) was the 2019 Nine Hats ‘Columbia Valley’ Syrah (OB, 93) which is really like a baby Sequel. The flavor range and viscosity here is truly outstanding. Learn more about these outstanding wines at ninehatswines.com and here are my reviews of the new Nine Hats wines.
2020 Nine Hats ‘Columbia Valley’ Chardonnay- Very crisp and smooth, the 2020 Nine Hats Chardonnay offers buttered French bread and ripe pear notes on the nose with suggestions of green papaya on the nose. The palate is soft and enticing with a silky mouthfeel and good length. Enjoy this 100% varietal bottling now and over the next several years. Drink 2023-2028- 91
2021 Nine Hats ‘Columbia Valley’ Pinot Gris- A downright killer value coming from this warm vintage in the Columbia Valley, the 2021 Nine Hats Pinot Gris offers straightforward Japanese pear, white peach and juicy starfruit flavors that combine with a smooth texture once on the mouth. Finishing clean with minerals and ripe orchard fruits, this is a clear winner. Only 15 dollars retail. Drink 2023-2028- 91
2021 Nine Hats ‘Columbia Valley’ Riesling- Another awesome wine in this new Nine Hats lineup, the 2021 Riesling shows wet stone and light petrol notes on the palate, with sweetened gooseberry tones. Medium-bodied and showing a fantastic sense of texture, this is really outstanding stuff for the price. The combination of mouthfeel and lip-smacking acidity really makes this tick. Drink 2023-2027- 91
2019 Nine Hats ‘Columbia Valley’ Sangiovese- Very soft and polished, the 2019 Nine Hats ‘Columbia Valley’ Sangiovese offers ripe red fruit flavors with tobacco leaf, leather and milk chocolate undercurrents. Medium to full-bodied, and exceedingly well-balanced, this is an outstanding value that would pair magically with a range of roasted meats. Drink 2023-2030- 92
2019 Nine Hats ‘Columbia Valley’ Merlot- Also very soft and refined, the 2019 Nine Hats ‘Columbia Valley’ Merlot was mostly stored from the Benches Vineyard, Aged 18 months in 70% neutral new oak barrels this revels in its silky texture once on the mouth. Mocha, black currants and cedar notes combine on the palate with a bright mineral backbone. This is seriously good for the price. Enjoy now and over the next eight years. Drink 2023-2031- 92
2019 Nine Hats ‘Columbia Valley’ Malbec- The 2019 Nine Hats ‘Columbia Valley’ Malbec comes from the Wahluke Slope AVA, as this was stored for 18 months in 70% neutral oak barrels before bottling. It is very inky in the glass, displaying mocha, tar, dark currants and sweet pipe tobacco notes alongside a bright sense of tension. You will love this wine that exudes both class and value. Drink 2023-2031- 93
2019 Nine Hats ‘Columbia Valley’ Syrah- The outstanding 2019 Nine Hats ‘Columbia Valley’ Syrah comes off as a ‘Baby Sequel’ with its outstanding range of aromas and flavors. Bacon fat and garrigue notes combine with tilled soils and copious dark fruits on the nose. The palate is rich and dense with plenty of underlying finesse. As is, the wine is exceedingly difficult to put down once opened with its dense figs, boysenberry and dark cherry notes alongside hints of dark chocolate. Enjoy now and over the next seven years. Drink 2023-2030- 93