demarestwines
Member #70,415 signed up 1/15/2009 and last accessed 3/23/2012
Profile
Member since January 2009
Locale: demarest, New Jersey, USA
Favorite region: Napa baby!!!
Dream wine: Too many...
Wine store owner and enthusiast
No votes recorded.
2009 Cameron Hughes Lot 250 Meritage
3/23/2012 - demarestwines wrote: 88 Points
Mr. Hughes tend to exaggerate his ratings and on how much the original juice was worth before his company dilutes it and tries to make it more presentable and affordable. One of the most successful Lots were Lots 100 and especially the opulent Lot 200 (amazing for the price).
He states that Lot 250 is sourced from high end wineries that dont sell juices under $50.00. This bottle definitely dont taste like a $50 dollar bottle but more like a $8 bottle mixed with a $30 bottle. HOWEVER...in all fairness this bottle was selling for $8 a pop at Sams and it justifies the value.
There is not much nose but it opens up to a darker ripe plum raspberry aroma after airing it for about an hour or so. There is no forward taste (almost watered down) however the mid palate brings out sweet peppery hot taste of ripe red grapeskin and maplewood. The finishing taste got me going on this wine. You could taste the dry mocha grains slowly dissolve on your taste buds for decent amount of time considering how cheap this wine was and it is this final lasting taste that proves Mr. Hughes did in fact use good decent amount of quality wine juice to make this interesting blend.
With more time, I doubt there would be much evolution done in the bottle...maybe a little more but thats about it. Entertaining bottle to wash down your pizza and red pasta.
For $8 to $10 a pop, I recommend you grab them if you get a chance.
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2006 Cameron Hughes Cabernet Sauvignon Lot 100
12/3/2009 - demarestwines wrote: 93 Points
I sensed that Mr. Hughes would put some effort into his 100th anniversary Lot 100 Stag's District Cabernet. Smell of black currants, black berries, soft oak and vanilla. This is not a typical cabernet with a medium body but it does tell an interesting story. For the incredible market price it shows high end characteristics from Stag's Leap with 3 dimensional structure and a smooth finish. It almost tastes like a bordeaux because its soft and caressing compared to the typical bold Cali Cabernet. After 15 minutes of decantering it was fresh fruits all around with spice and well groomed tannins. After two hours of decanting, the cabernet mellowed out into something really special...almost a velvety ending! I have no idea what others was saying about "being too tight". Great value! I doubt you can find this type of caliber with this kind of price. MUST BUY!!!
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2006 Cameron Hughes Zinfandel Lot 88
6/4/2009 - demarestwines wrote: 88 Points
Still very tight and yes it has potential cellaring up to 5-7 years. Smell of floral ripe plums with subtle vanilla. Rather a lighter zin but with mouth entertaining plums, tobacco, vanilla, and tart cherries at the finish. The acidity and tannins are not cheap and well kept in the bottle. I believe with few more years or decantering for at least an hour or so, the wine will show different classy characteristics. For the price, no complaints but not a wine to write home about.
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