Wine Expression
Review - Cameron Hughes - Hughes-Wellman & Lot Series 52,66,68,71,73,79,91
2005 Cameron Hughes - Hughes-Wellmen Cabernet Sauvignon
The following are my tasting notes on the latest wines from Cameron Hughes. You can read more about Cameron and my past reviews here.
2006 Rockridge Chardonnay, $<10 - Magnum
Score: 82pts - Notes: Not a bad value - hints of melon, pear, and pineapple, beats 2 buck chuck anyday!
Full disclosure: The wines rated below were all press samples.
Lot 52 2006 Valle De Uco Malbec (Argentina), $13, 14.5% ABV
Score: 90 pts (A-) - Notes: Dark Fruit Characteristics, Food Friendly
Lot 66 2006 Veneto Pinot Grigio (Italy), $10, 12% ABV
Score: ? - Notes: Glycerin, Post Bottle Fermentation, Hot and Astringent. Bad Bottle, planning to retaste
Lot 68 2006 Margaret River Chardonnay (Australia), $13, 14.2% ABV
Score: 90pts (A-) - Notes: Citrus, Melon, Mineral, Rock
Lot 71 2004 Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon (California), $15, 14.5% ABV
Score: 82pts (B-) - Notes: Cherry Syrup, Tart, Raspberry, Medium Bodied
Lot 73 2006 Chalk Hill Cabernet Sauvignon (California), $16, 14.5% ABV
Score: 90pts (A-) - Notes: Tasted 2x’s, Inky Purple, Anise, Vanilla, Oak, Very tight, buy & hold.
Lot 79 2005 Napa Valley Merlot (California), $14
Score: 78pts (C+) - Notes: This is an overly extracted, Syrupy wine that just didn’t taste that good. (Off the website for a reason?)
Lot 91 2007 Russian River Valley Chardonnay, (California), $14, 13.9% ABV
Score: 86pts (B) - Notes: A Chardonnay for Sauvignon Blanc Lovers, Good Acidity, Citrus
2005 Hughes-Wellman Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon, $50, 14.5% ABV
Score: 90pts (A-) - Notes: A very pleasant first effort at a higher end offering from Cameron. This big Cab has a somewhat weak nose at the moment, but offers hints of black cherry and blueberry. I kept getting whiffs of bell pepper, which through me off a bit, but over time that could blow off. Usually it’s just a sign of grapes harvested from younger vines. The wine possesses good tannic structure with cranberry notes on the palate and a finish that lingers on the tongue. This monster could stand to mellow in the cellar for a bit. I’m excited to see how this wine develops in bottle and look forward to any future releases under this label as the potential for a bargain trophy wine is here. Drink 2010 - 2015
On a side note, I am proud of Cameron for using more screw cap closures. A few of the bottles sent that were sealed with the traditional cork were tainted.