Monthly Archives: March 2020

Chateau Pontet-Canet 2004, Pauillac, France

08 Sunday Mar 2020

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It was Moxie’s birthday so I opened this lovely Bordeaux in Magnum that’s been sitting in my cellar for many moons.  Very bright purple, surprisingly so.  No signs of aging whatsoever.  The nose is somewhat subdued.  After some frantic swirling I finally get  plum, leather and florals, like violet.  On the palate this wine is super smooth, fruity and fresh.  Black cherries, tobacco, crisp tannins and a zesty touch of acidity greet me.  This is not a blockbuster Bordeaux, it’s a refreshing, lighter wine that will appeal to many.  There are tertiary flavors on the midpalate that include spicebox , leather, rhubarb and blueberry.  The tannins really take hold and are gritty, they continue through the finish.  Speaking of which, it’s a decent length and concentrated on those tannins alongside blueberry and a touch of oak.  This is tasty, still young and will drink well till 2029.  I served it up with grilled Tri-Tips, delicious.  91 points and 4 stars, it can be found for around $125 per bottle.  Salut….

Cameron Hughes Lot 683 Zinfandel 2017, Sierra Foothills, California

05 Thursday Mar 2020

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Semi opaque and medium intensity purple.  The nose has spicy blueberry jam, candy and licorice.  On the palate it is very fruity, dry and mouthwatering.  Blackberry paste, cedar shake and iodine caress the tongue while really nice tannins completely coat my gums.  It is a luscious mouthfeel if you’re in the mood for some tannic grip.  The midpalate and finish carry on the theme and it ends on a nice dry note of black jam, cinnamon, some wood influence and that licorice note.  90 points.  Well made and for $12 this is a steal worthy of 5 stars.  Drink till 2027 with some sirloins, perhaps venison and definitely roasted veggies.  Salut….

Cameron Hughes Lot 622 Riesling 2016, Columbia Valley, Washington

04 Wednesday Mar 2020

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Tonight I’m cooking outside the box, chicken livers in peri-peri sauce and some in a Port wine reduction.  I’m grilling a pork loin as a backup.  So, I needed something white that will take the heat of the spicy sauce, Riesling is the obvious choice.

It’s a light shade of yellow in the glass,  the nose is very fresh with citrus, melon, apple peel.  On the palate it’s quite sweet, round and full bodied.  It’s not as focused and acidic as I was hoping for, it’s more of a salmon or pate on toast kinda wine.   It will work I think, but the style is wrong for the pairing.

The palate offers up yellow pear, banana, melon and a touch of candied apple.  Not a lemon or lime in sight.  The midpalate is really rich, expanding into those flavors whilst the finish is short and sweet- literally.  I’m enjoying this wine all by itself, really tasty and easy to drink.  I’m going 89 points and 4 stars for this $12 bottle.  Salut….

Cameron Hughes Lot 676 White Blend 2016, Santa Barbara, California

02 Monday Mar 2020

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Very golden in the glass, beautiful and rich.  On the nose I get peach stone, yellow apple, melon.  On the palate it’s quite different- I still get peach stone, but the focus is more pineapple, honeydew, lanolin.  The mouthfeel is quite full, a nice level of acidity and some glycerin.  The mid palate shows off stone fruit and a touch of sour apple.  The finish is medium length and continues the theme nicely.  This is a good blend of Roussane, Viognier and Marsanne that I would serve with caeser salad, smoked salmon or grilled chicken.  89 points, $14 and 4 stars.  Salut….

Vieux Chateau Certan 2003, Pomerol, France

02 Monday Mar 2020

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Semi opaque, medium purple in the glass.  On the nose it’s cooked. Over the top.  Sorry folks, no notes today.  Too bad, I was looking forward to some aged Bordeaux.  It can be found for $160 and got 90 points back in the day.  Salut….

Beaulieu Vineyard BV Reserve Tapestry 2007, Napa Valley, USA

02 Monday Mar 2020

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This is the third tasting of the Tapestry over an eight year period.  The cork broke in half which gave cause for concern, the bottom part showing off a deep stain, nearly black.  That normally bodes well for me, except the failed cork part.

The wine still has a lovely purple hue with a touch of orange bricking.  The nose gives off tons of leather, tobacco, some red currants and black cherry.  The palate is focused and concentrated.  Tertiary flavors are forefront- earthiness, that parched tobacco and leather …  black fruits appear after a while but it’s not a seamless transition.  The wine has very integrated tannins and a nice streak of acidity.  It’s holding up well for 13 years old, but I would drink by 2027.  It has evolved well and will continue to soften, shedding the fruit along the way.  It’s a nice Napa Cab that gets 90 points from me and can be found for $55.  4 stars.  Salut….

Cameron Hughes Lot 660 Cabernet Sauvignon 2016, Red Mountain, Washington

02 Monday Mar 2020

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Semi opaque in the glass, bright purple.  On the nose I get graphite, blackcurrants, oak and twizzlers.  On the palate there are some gentle notes of black cherries, a dose of dry tannins and some black tea to go along with black currants.  The mid palate has a cherry cola component with black fruits and that slightly unbalanced tannic dryness.  The finish is dry but fresh and packed with black fruit flavors, some oak and a touch of minerality.  Decent wine for a weekday.  87 points, which contrasts with others opinions btw.  Drink till 2024, 2 stars, $25.  Salut….

Cameron Hughes Lot 672 Chardonnay 2017, Rogue Valley, Oregon

02 Monday Mar 2020

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Very pale yellow in the glass, but interesting to look at. The nose has lemon zest, walnuts, .  The palate is fresh, not cutting.  I get a citrus component and pineapple.  It’s very tasty and easy to drink.  The mouthfeel is light and bright, not much acidity and no cloying oak.  It’s a wine made for easy foods, appetizers or a poolside quaff.  88 points but a real treat at $14.  3 stars.  Salut..

L’Etoile 2015, Lalande de Pomerol, France

02 Monday Mar 2020

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Very rich purple hues in the glass. The nose is a combo of blue fruit and dark berries, with a tobacco and spice box note thrown in . The palate is very enticing with blackberries, crisp tannins, fruitcake and black tea.  The midpalate continues the theme and takes us to the really juicy finish of Ribena, tea, creosote and Maduro leaf.  Very enjoyable, seamless and drinking well for a relatively young Bordeaux.  91 points and 4 stars at $25.  Drink till 2028.  Salut….

Cameron Hughes Lot 2011 Private Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley, California

02 Monday Mar 2020

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Very dark purple in the glass with feint legs, interesting as it boasts 14.5% alcohol.  The nose is rich with cassis, plum extract, oak and tea.  The initial palate starts off jammy, full bodied and tannic.  The dark fruit is very unctuous and the flavors just keep coating my mouth.  The mid palate shows off a nice acidic bite alongside more cassis and leather.  The finish turns a touch blue, berries and oak come to mind.  This is a really delicious yet still young Napa Cab that shows off the Cali sun in a nice, full bodied package.  92 points and 4 stars for this $75 beauty.  Drink till 2030.  Salut….