Wine Spectator - Outstanding Washington Wines
8 Outstanding Washington Wines Priced $35 or Less
The Team at Nine Hats prides itself on making tasty wines for everyday drinking, and for good reason. The winery's Malbec is priced at $25, and talk about bang for the buck. Allen Shoup, the former CEO of Ste. Michelle Wine Estates, launched the brand as part of his Long Shadows Vintners project. Today, Nine Hats is on its own and Gilles Nicault is the director of winemaking and viticulture. The 2016 Malbec was primarily harvested from Weinbau Vineyard in the Wahluke Slope, and contains 20% Merlot and 2% Petit Verdot. It was aged for 18 months in oak barrels, 70% of which were neutral.
2017 Nine Hats Malbec - Lithe and expressive, with layered cherry and blood orange flavors and bitter chocolate and spice notes. Drink now through 2027. 90 points, Wine Spectator