This merlot was vegetal both on the nose and palate ... not bad, but if you don't like that, you wouldn't like this one. It went well with the grilled pork.
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Had it with grilled terriyak pork loin chops - very good! Decanting is a necessity with Cameron Hughes wines ... bigger tannins. I hadn't heard much of S. African merlots so this was a pleasant surprise.
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very good, 88-93 depending on how much you like this style of wine. while a much more sophisticated wine than most new world fruit bombs, it was a still very rich wine. lots of complex flavors running around on the palate, with excellent velvety tannins and medium full mouthfeel and a very long finish. great qpr.
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Getting much better. We had a few bottles early-on, but it has improved considerably since then. I'll probably give the other 2 at least a couple more months.
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smoke, plum, black currant and black berry nose; black berry, firm tannins that need time to calm down, smoke, complex, long finish - needs a year to calm down
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enjoyable, and well made. didn't decant, would probably benefit from it. deep purple color, fruit forward style, but with at least some acid to balance it. sorry for the scant note, was busy entertaining. very good QPR.
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A classic merlot nose full of cranberries with the addition of linen and some cut grass. Ruby red. Strong tannins and earthy tones up front give way quickly to jammy dark fruit (dark cherry, blueberry) and hints of vanilla. A somewhat sharp but long finish with hints of cocoa, asparagus and oak. Fruity, but not over the top. One of the better merlots I've had. May improve with age. Excellent value. Drinking well now. 88-90+
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very nice. good red fruit, bit of tea. excellent body, rich even. fruit nicely balanced with acid, and bit of tannin on the finish. well structured, will probably age nicely and get more integrated. each step from top note to mid palate to finish very pleasant, but a bit distinct. i liked it, recommended.
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All Cameron Hughes offerings have been good in my experience, and this one is no exception. Understated cassis fruit and a subtle, oaky body.... quite different from California fruit-forward merlots. A great bargain for the price.
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Uncorked but not decanted in the morning and tasted the evolution of the wine throughout the day. The tannins subsided and the wine really opened up after about six hours. Barnyard, woodsy, earthy aromas emanate from the glass and clearly separate this wine from Lot 14 Napa Valley Merlot. Blackberry and earthy flavors evolve into a mocha earthy finish that have you reaching for the last drops from your glass. An interesting and very tasty merlot!
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Big robust merlot. Almost rhone-like in its intensity. Tarry and tannic with some barnyard and earthiness in the nose and taste, mixed with violets, cinnamon and other mild spice and berry flavors. Some herbal stemminess, but not really a problem per se. For me, at first opening this wine had an unpleasant burning and bitter taste, but it improved considerably over time and became softer and much more balanced after sitting open and sampling it over two hours or more. A much different wine than the softer U.S. west coast merlots I am used to drinking, but all in all a fascinating wine and a great learning experience on full bodied South African merlots. If you can, open and air it for a couple of hours before drinking.
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3/11/2024 - Stuberman wrote: 88 Points
Still drinkable after all these years. Not bad, though a pretty straightforward wine.
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6/11/2019 - Louisiana George Likes this wine: 88 Points
Smooth drinker, without much complexity, but a really pronounced smoky oak flavor on the finish that was unique.
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1/21/2011 - truenorth wrote: 88 Points
Good structure, even a bit chewy. Good value.
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7/6/2009 - Parnelli wrote: 86 Points
This merlot was vegetal both on the nose and palate ... not bad, but if you don't like that, you wouldn't like this one. It went well with the grilled pork.
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11/17/2007 - Acohen wrote: 89 Points
Smooth, velvety with a good mix of cherry and darker fruits. Well integrated and lush finish
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10/27/2007 - Parnelli wrote: 87 Points
Had it with grilled terriyak pork loin chops - very good! Decanting is a necessity with Cameron Hughes wines ... bigger tannins. I hadn't heard much of S. African merlots so this was a pleasant surprise.
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6/19/2007 - pkosmas wrote: 89 Points
very good, 88-93 depending on how much you like this style of wine. while a much more sophisticated wine than most new world fruit bombs, it was a still very rich wine. lots of complex flavors running around on the palate, with excellent velvety tannins and medium full mouthfeel and a very long finish. great qpr.
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4/29/2007 - Debbink wrote: 89 Points
Getting much better. We had a few bottles early-on, but it has improved considerably since then. I'll probably give the other 2 at least a couple more months.
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3/24/2007 - Louisiana George wrote: 87 Points
smoke, plum, black currant and black berry nose; black berry, firm tannins that need time to calm down, smoke, complex, long finish - needs a year to calm down
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3/9/2007 - pkosmas wrote:
enjoyable, and well made. didn't decant, would probably benefit from it. deep purple color, fruit forward style, but with at least some acid to balance it. sorry for the scant note, was busy entertaining. very good QPR.
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2/28/2007 - njbabs wrote: 89 Points
A classic merlot nose full of cranberries with the addition of linen and some cut grass. Ruby red. Strong tannins and earthy tones up front give way quickly to jammy dark fruit (dark cherry, blueberry) and hints of vanilla. A somewhat sharp but long finish with hints of cocoa, asparagus and oak. Fruity, but not over the top. One of the better merlots I've had. May improve with age. Excellent value. Drinking well now. 88-90+
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2/27/2007 - pkosmas wrote: 88 Points
very nice. good red fruit, bit of tea. excellent body, rich even. fruit nicely balanced with acid, and bit of tannin on the finish. well structured, will probably age nicely and get more integrated. each step from top note to mid palate to finish very pleasant, but a bit distinct. i liked it, recommended.
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12/6/2006 - yeastbeast wrote: 89 Points
All Cameron Hughes offerings have been good in my experience, and this one is no exception. Understated cassis fruit and a subtle, oaky body.... quite different from California fruit-forward merlots. A great bargain for the price.
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11/11/2006 - dmatley wrote: 88 Points
Uncorked but not decanted in the morning and tasted the evolution of the wine throughout the day. The tannins subsided and the wine really opened up after about six hours. Barnyard, woodsy, earthy aromas emanate from the glass and clearly separate this wine from Lot 14 Napa Valley Merlot. Blackberry and earthy flavors evolve into a mocha earthy finish that have you reaching for the last drops from your glass. An interesting and very tasty merlot!
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11/10/2006 - noofie2 wrote: 89 Points
Big robust merlot. Almost rhone-like in its intensity. Tarry and tannic with some barnyard and earthiness in the nose and taste, mixed with violets, cinnamon and other mild spice and berry flavors. Some herbal stemminess, but not really a problem per se. For me, at first opening this wine had an unpleasant burning and bitter taste, but it improved considerably over time and became softer and much more balanced after sitting open and sampling it over two hours or more. A much different wine than the softer U.S. west coast merlots I am used to drinking, but all in all a fascinating wine and a great learning experience on full bodied South African merlots. If you can, open and air it for a couple of hours before drinking.
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