It is no secret that Gilles Nicault has crafting some of the finest wines in Washington State now for many years. He’s witnessed many winemaking challenges, with the cold weather of 2011 and also some difficulties with 2019. Speaking wth Gilles several months back, he is very bullish on the wines that he made in 2020 and 2021. I have been really impressed with how he handled the more than difficult 2020 vintage. Wines come off clean and are well-made as they have now had extended time in oak barrels.
Of course Long Shadows was founded by visionary and Washington wine pioneer Allen Shoup. Shoup is a founding father of the Washington wine industry. He spent 20 years building Château Ste. Michelle and its affiliate wineries, serving as the company's CEO for 17 of those years before establishing Long Shadows in 2002. He had an incredible vision for Long Shadows and built a world-class wine brand from the ground up. The Nine Hats brand that he founded is consistently one of the better value lineups that you will find in Pacific Northwest wine.
I adored the new 2023 Long Shadows ‘Poet’s Leap’ Riesling (OB, 93) which is one of the great wines of its kind. I loved the 2022 Nine Hats Chardonnay (OB, 92) which is beautifully textured stuff that is drinking marvelously now. Learn more about these famed wines at longshadows.com and here are my reviews of the beautiful new Long Shadows and Nine Hats wines.
2023 Long Shadows ‘Poet’s Leap’ Riesling- Truly one of the best Rieslings of the Pacific Northwest, the 2023 ‘Poet’s Leap’ is mainly comprised of old vine Riesling from the Sagemoor Vineyard as well as small parts from the famed DuBrul Vineyard in the Yakima Valley. This is mineral-laden stuff that offers freshly cut limes, green apple, petrol and salty minerals on the palate. With just a kiss of sweetness, enjoy this beautiful wine now and over the next eight years to come. Drink 2024-2032- 93
2022 Nine Hats Chardonnay- The really good 2022 Nine Hats Chardonnay comes from the French Creek and Boushey vineyards. Stored in mainly neutral oak barrels, this offers a smooth mouthfeel with poached pear and vanilla notes alongside baking spice dusted pastry crust and banana on the palate. Really good now, enjoy over the next five to seven years. Drink 2024-2030- 92
2020 Nine Hats Malbec- A very inky color, the 2020 Nine Hats Malbec has 15% Cabernet Sauvignon blended in. Stored in only 30% new French oak barrels, this offers creme de violette and tar notes on the palate, alongside blueberry compote. Medium to full-bodied with a soft texture, enjoy now and over the next few years. Drink 2024-2030- 92
2020 Nine Hats Syrah- The 2020 Nine Hats Syrah has 13% Grenache from Red Mountain blended in. Stored in mainly neutral oak barrels, this delivers dark currants and chocolate on the nose with garrigue and scorched earth notes. The palate is soft and generous with a smooth mouthfeel. Showing beautifully now, enjoy over the next five to seven years. Drink 2024-2030- 92
2020 Nine Hats Merlot- Dense in the glass, the 2020 Nine Hats Merlot has 25% Cabernet Franc blended in as this primarily comes from the Weinbau Vineyard. Stored for 18 months in 70% neutral oak barrels, this delivers black plum and dark currant notes on the palate, alongside bittersweet chocolate and shades of menthol. Medium to full-bodied, enjoy now and over the next five to seven years. Drink 2024-2030- 92