I've been a bit down on Cameron Hughes' wines lately. It's not that they've been bad, but often times they've been a bit generic and very international in style. So, lots of oak and big, ripe fruit. Tasty, yet one-dimensional. The Cameron Hughes 2006 Lot 75 Oak Knoll Cabernet Sauvignon was a poster child for this monolithic flavor profile when I tasted it about 6 months ago.
Six months later, the Lot 75 is like a whole new wine. If anything, this suggests Cameron Hughes simply releases his wines too early when they're still suffering from bottle shock or aren't fully integrated. The caramel aromas are now in the background, while loads of dark fruit and bell pepper are prominent. The pepper adds a nice complexity for me, though some may find it distracting. On the palate there's plenty of black currant and coffee, along with a bit of creamy oak to round out the mid-palate. This is a big boy with tannins that clamp down on the finish. In sum, it's a compelling wine with just enough finesse and green accents to keep its powerful fruit and structure in balance.
Score: 87-89
Price: $12 from Costco
Six months later, the Lot 75 is like a whole new wine. If anything, this suggests Cameron Hughes simply releases his wines too early when they're still suffering from bottle shock or aren't fully integrated. The caramel aromas are now in the background, while loads of dark fruit and bell pepper are prominent. The pepper adds a nice complexity for me, though some may find it distracting. On the palate there's plenty of black currant and coffee, along with a bit of creamy oak to round out the mid-palate. This is a big boy with tannins that clamp down on the finish. In sum, it's a compelling wine with just enough finesse and green accents to keep its powerful fruit and structure in balance.
Score: 87-89
Price: $12 from Costco
2 comments:
I just had this bottle and loved it. Any suggestions on where to buy more? Costco is long done with it.
Costco is the only retailer that carries his wine, and once it's gone, it's not coming back. No more Lot 75, but I figure there must be some more CH Cabs coming up soon. It has to be a buyer's market for negociants like Cameron Hughes in this economy. I figure I'll buy a bottle and if it has potential, grab a handful more while I can. Especially if it's a 2007 since that was a really good year.
Post a Comment