If I could go back to the point where I had never had red wine, and was trying to imagine what red wine would taste like, this 2017 red wine blend from Nine Hats in Columbia Valley is exactly what I would imagine. To be completely honest, I decided to purchase this wine because I loved the label, but in taking that chance, I also found a wine that will be perfect for any occasion.

This wine has a pleasantly deep but also soft red color. It has intense legs, and bright reflections of a lighter red throughout the glass. The scent is intensely earthy, and rich, like dark chocolate, mixed with, possibly, raspberry and cherry. It is also quite oaky, and almost like a dessert liqueur in terms of richness.

The flavor is smooth and intense, with a bright, cherry burn, and an oaky body and flavor left behind. In line with the scent, there are chocolate tones mixed into the taste. This red wine blend from Nine Hats is the quintessential red, it is everything I look for in a classic red blend, and everything I would hope your first experience with red wine could be. Whether you have already tried red wine, and know that you love it, or if you are new to red wine, I absolutely recommend giving this blend a try.