2005 William Hatcher Pinot Noir Willamette Valley

RJonWine.com

• By Richard Jennings
  5/5/2010, (See more on RJonWine.com...) 92 points

  (William Hatcher Pinot Noir Willamette Valley) Medium red color with pale meniscus; solid cherry, ripe raspberry, floral nose; solid, ripe raspberry, cherry, black raspberry, mineral palate; medium finish (nice effort; this has deepened since I tried it a year ago, and should continue to evolve for another 5-6 years)

• By Richard Jennings
  9/26/2009, (See more on RJonWine.com...) 90 points

  (William Hatcher Pinot Noir Willamette Valley) Tart black cherry, berry, mineral nose; tasty, black cherry, tart berry, mineral palate; medium finish 90+ pts.

Garagiste

• By Jon Rimmerman
  8/21/2008, (See more on Garagiste...)

  (William Hatcher PINOT NOIR) Pinot Noir Dear Friends, Oregon is a wide-open bastion of genuine US terroir - there is no other region in our fair country that has the potential for transparent expression and subtlety as the area south of Portland known as the Willamette Valley. Despite heavy gains in fame and fortune over the last 10-15 years, this area remains untapped and underutilized. Styles are all over the map and I would argue that the Willamette Valley still has not found its signature stamp and fist full of "cult" producers that wine-drinkers can identify with - maybe that's a good thing. Pinot Noir is king in Oregon and a number of excellent wines continue to be made each year by relatively untested winemakers and wineries. The freedom of expression in the Willamette Valley remains the same as it was a decade ago as the pressure to succeed is not as great in Oregon as it appears to be in California. It can be argued that Oregon has retained its soul where most of California sold theirs long ago in favor of higher alcohol, extract and residual sugar (there were days when Napa Valley showed the same potential as the Willamette Valley - ever tried 1968 Heitz Cabernet? - still wowing tasters after 40 years with its hefty 12% alcohol). Whenever I make comments such as this, I always receive heated replies from Central Coast and Sonoma Coast enthusiasts but I will stand by my statements (of course, there are always exceptions like Hansel and Kalin but you get where I am going with this). In Oregon, true elegance remains a desirable word and William Hatcher knows the definition first hand. From a producer that seeks contemplation and a closer look to understand the whole, the 2005 vintage played right into the hands of Hatcher. This former Domaine Drouhin honcho knows what he wants and he knows the Valley - he also knows how to use his insight to obtain the best fruit. When I say "the best" I don't mean the biggest - what I mean is "the most reflective". The 2005 is the best wine he's produced (even better than his 2006 and miles better than the 2004). There are 400-450 cases of the 2005, culled from a much larger selection that could have increased the volume of his wine but he chose to produce fewer bottles wine and still look himself in the mirror every morning with his conscience intact. He is proud to say, "I make one wine, that's it - I don't make 12 different cuvees or a second wine. One wine has to be the best I can accomplish and what you have in your hands is that accomplishment". One wine - that's it. The William Hatcher has become one of the more highly thought of in the Northwest - it remains an insider's choice and you are more than likely to see it on the table at a private winemaker's dinner than at a local retailer - it's a wine other vintners want to try. They respect the philosophy, effort and result which speaks as loudly as the whisper of the wine's demure character. This wine has that special balance between depth and grace and my guess is that it should age in a superior way. Don't look for obvious fireworks here, the quality is summed up by what you don't notice, not what you do: Matt Kramer: "William Hatcher Pinot Noir "Willamette Valley" 2005 is a superb wine from what has emerged - in the right hands, of course - as one of Oregon's finest vintages. This is a dense, rich, slightly austere wine exhibiting only the barest hint of oak. As with its model [Domaine Drouhin Oregon], it is a wine clearly meant to age beautifully over the next five to 10 years. Given its mid-palate density and detailed style, it should evolve into one of the finest wines of the 2005 vintage." That's about all that needs to be said. ONE SHIPMENT ONLY at this price directly from the source: 2005 William Hatcher Pinot Noir (Willamette Valley) (if you want 6, please let Niki know but it's going to be tough). This wine is EXTREMELY LIMITED - please be patient with Niki, she will do her best on allocations Thank you, Jon Rimmerman Garagiste Seattle, WA OR8820