Now you may not be that familiar with Cameron Hughes’ wines as they can be difficult to find at retail. To date, Costco carries them in select California and Florida locations and you can also order them direct from Cameron’s website. They have gotten very good reviews from a variety of sources and are becoming more and more popular as people get a chance to taste them.

So what is Cameron Hughes’ Wine all about? I’ve excerpted from their website below:

With an obsession for quality and innovation, Cameron Hughes Wine is dedicated to building a reputation for delivering the best domestic and international wine values in the marketplace today. Our focus is on buying at the high-end, small available 'Lots' of super premium wine. Because not all wine at the high-end is bottled and sold to you, we rescue those 'Lots' do some stylistic blending and the key is, we then sell direct to you or our retailers. So in short: no winery, no distributor and no wholesaler. That's a lot of cost taken out without ever compromising the quality integrity of the wine.

Our company produces and markets wine under the Cameron Hughes “Lot” program. We do not own vineyards or ferment wine. Our business model is built around what we call in the industry the “spot” market for super/ultra premium bulk wines. Essentially, what this means in plain English is that we eliminate the middlemen. We use our own palates as guides to deliver delicious, super premium wine that is easily accessible price and style-wise.

In other words, Cameron is able to track down excess wine for a steal of a price and bottle it for his own label. Why is the wine excess or unwanted? Maybe it just didn’t measure up to a high end winery’s expectations for a $50+ bottling, maybe there was too much supply for a winery’s demand, maybe a winery closed or changed directions, maybe there was a legal situation, or maybe someone was just plain dumb and sold off good juice for pennies on the dollar. There are numerous reasons why the wine was available, but the key is Cameron has a nose and palate to find the beautiful unwanted lots. He also has a great reputation and when a well respected winery has excess wine, they will often give him a call first as he will give the wine the respect it deserves and not just throw it into some generic bulk bottling.

While Cameron cannot confirm or deny where he sourced the wines from, if you have a detective hat to put on, you may be able to figure it out. Cameron gives many clues as to where the wine comes from and if you have a little too much time on your hands, you may be able to figure out. If anything, it can make for a fun adventure.

After tasting through the lots, I have to say that I was very impressed. Most of these wines can be found for around $9-$12 at Costco or from Cameron’s website wine store (some were available for as little as $5). The only wine to date that is going for a bit more is the sparkler which retails for around $20, but is still a steal for that price as it’s original producer was going to sell it for $50. I cannot think of a wine label/series that offers a better wine value. Cameron would take the gold medal in the wine value Olympics, but it is not that the wines are just good values. These are good wines period. At a minimum, each wine tasted performed up to expectations for its price and a large majority far outperformed their price point and drank as if they were $25+ bottles of wine. I wish my local Costco carried these, as I would be loading up and at the prices they go for, you can afford to load up and have a Lot-a-palooza or Cam-a-Thon of your own.

I have been to many tastings and I have to say that I enjoyed this one immensely. It is easily up there with the best that I have attended. The value of the wines may not have been at the level of some other tastings, but few of us can afford to drink Krug, Latour, and Grange every day. This tasting showed outstanding value can be found and that there are affordable wines that you can drink for yourself and serve to others (even wine geeks) daily with pride. It really helps you to keep things in perspective and still drink like a king. If you cough up the big bucks, you better get a damn good bottle of wine. Many times, the true joy is in finding the hidden gems that drink big, but cost little.

Please remember my expectations for a wine based on the purchase price. I am content with a $8-12 wine that scores in the high C+/low B- (78-81 pts) range and ecstatically recommend the wine if it rises above this range. Every single Cameron Hughes wine hit this mark and most far exceeded it. So once again, my scale is:

The unstill “expectation” scale

Under $10: C+ (77 pts) or higher
$10-$25: B- (80 pts) or higher
$25-$50: B (83 pts) or higher
$50-$75: B+ (87 pts) or higher
$75-$100: High B+/Low A- (89 pts) or higher
above $100: A- (90 pts) or higher

We tasted these wines in flights listed below. I will list out the tasting order, but offer my reviews in order from Lot 1 to Lot 25. Also, in the wine descriptions, I have listed the price point the wine was meant to sell at from the original producer (when this information was available) along with the price Cameron sells the wine for.

Flight One:
Cameron Hughes Lot 25 - NV Napa Valley Carneros Sparkling Wine

Flight Two:
Cameron Hughes Lot 4 – 2003 Santa Barbara County Chardonnay
Cameron Hughes Lot 20 – 2005 Russian River Valley Chardonnay
Cameron Hughes Lot 22 – 2005 Edna Valley Chardonnay

Flight Three:
Cameron Hughes Lot 8 – 2003 Monterey County Pinot Noir

Flight Four:
Cameron Hughes Lot 17 – 2004 Sierra Foothills Barbera

Flight Five:
Cameron Hughes Lot 5 – 2001 Dry Creek Valley Zinfandel
Cameron Hughes Lot 21 – 2004 Zinfandel

Flight Six:
Cameron Hughes Lot 12 – 2003 Sonoma Mountain Syrah
Cameron Hughes Lot 24 - 2005 Sonoma Syrah

Flight Seven:
Cameron Hughes Lot 1 – 2002 Lodi Syrah
Cameron Hughes Lot 6 – 2003 Lodi Syrah
Cameron Hughes Lot 9 –2003 Paso Robles Syrah

Flight Eight:
Cameron Hughes Lot 3 – 2002 Lake County Petite Sirah
Cameron Hughes Lot 11 – 2003 Paso Robles Petite Sirah

Flight Nine:
Cameron Hughes Lot 14 – 2003 Merlot
Cameron Hughes Lot 19 – 2004 Stellenbosch, South Africa Merlot
Cameron Hughes Lot 23 – 2002 Meritage

Flight Ten:
Cameron Hughes Lot 18 – 2004 South Africa Cabernet Sauvignon

Flight Eleven:
Cameron Hughes Lot 7 – 2002 Knights Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
Cameron Hughes Lot 10 – 2002 Cabernet Sauvignon
Cameron Hughes Lot 13 – 2003 Cabernet Sauvignon

Flight Twelve:
Cameron Hughes Lot 15 – 2004 Cabernet Sauvignon
Cameron Hughes Lot 16 – 2004 Stags Leap District Cabernet Sauvignon

The Not Tasted Flight
Cameron Hughes Lot 2 – 2001 Dry Creek Valley Zinfandel

Tasting Notes:

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Cameron Hughes Lot 1 – 2002 Lodi Syrah
(100% Syrah;, Lodi, California; Single vineyard; 14 months in new French oak; 15.5% alc; 2,000 cases; Originally meant to sell at $25; $8-12 US)
This is very aromatic and quite spunky on the palate. Roasted cherries mix with meat, smoke, dark berries, and good dose of tannins. A very enjoyable wine in a very nice place right now. Lot 1 and 6 are back to back vintages of the same wine. Grade of High B (86-87 pts).

Cameron Hughes Lot 2 – 2001 Dry Creek Valley Zinfandel
(100% Zinfandel; Dry Creek Valley, California; 1,500 cases; $8-12 US)
Not Tasted. Dammmmmnnnit!

Cameron Hughes Lot 3 – 2002 Lake County Petite Sirah
(100% Petite Sirah; Lodi, California; Single vineyard; 3,000 cases; Original producer labeled this as a Reserve blend; $8-12 US)
A big, dark black and blueberry nose mixes with scents of coffee to really pique my interest. The palate doesn’t quite have the same depth as the nose, but it shows a good tartness and some nice dark berry notes. I wish the body was a bit fuller, but this is a nice wine and a killer at $10. Grade of B (85 pts).

Cameron Hughes Lot 4 – 2003 Santa Barbara County Chardonnay
(100% Chardonnay; Santa Barbara County, California; Single vineyard; Stainless steel aging; Full malolactic fermentation; 7,000 cases; $5-8 US)
Very fruit driven with pears, peach, and minerals on the nose. An excellent rich mouth feel shows excellent use of malolactic fermentation. It has a touch of roughness on the finish, but would be an easy crowd pleaser and is a screaming value for $5. Grade of High B- (82-83 pts).

Cameron Hughes Lot 5 – 2001 Dry Creek Valley Zinfandel
(88% Zinfandel, 12% Petite Sirah; Dry Creek Valley, California; 30 year old vines; 24 months in half new/half neutral American oak; 1,000 cases; Originally meant to sell at $30; $8-12 US)
Flawed bottle – corked and some said heavily infected with Brett as well. Not Graded.

Cameron Hughes Lot 6 – 2003 Lodi Syrah
(100% Syrah; Lodi, California; From a single vineyard; 14 months in new French oak; 15.5% alc; 1,000 cases; Originally meant to sell at $25; $8-12 US)
Closed on the nose when compared to the 2002 Lot 1 vintage of this wine. It also shows more tartness on the palate, but what a velvety mouth texture this has. The smooth dark tannins, and dark, smoky black & red berry notes invite me to explore the mysteries of this dark, brooding wine and explore it I do. I like the 2002 Lot 1, but I like the 2003 Lot 6 even more. Grade of B+(87-88 pts).

Cameron Hughes Lot 7 – 2002 Knights Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
(98% Cabernet Sauvignon, 2% Petite Verdot; Knights Valley, California; Blended from 4 different wineries and growers; Aged in mostly half new/half neutral French oak; 7,000 cases; $8-12 US)
A giant dose of vanilla cherry is served up on the nose while the palate plays mix and match. Flavors of dark chocolate, dark cherry, vanilla oak, mocha, and blackberry all weave in and out. It makes for a very fun ride and a wine that is very enjoyable. Grade of High B (86-87 pts).

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Cameron Hughes Lot 8 – 2003 Monterey County Pinot Noir
(100% Pinot Noir; Monetery County, California; 85% from Arroyo Seco; 14 months in half new/half neutral French oak; 15.5% alc; 2,500 cases; Originally meant to sell at $30; $8-12 US)
A touch of meaty cherries and graham cracker lead the nose. In the background is a kaleidoscope of elements. It changes from cotton candy to bright red cherry to beef jerky with each new inhale. A few people picked up aromas of smoke as well and I can understand that. The nose on this is constantly changing and a tad confusing, but it is much better than the dull palate that follows; it is rather thin on fruit with only some light cherry flavors appearing and then rolling off to a drying finish. This was my least favorite wine of the night (excluding flawed bottles), but a $10 Pinot is tough to find and it does perform up to the minimum expectation bar that I would set. If this were to have been released at $30, trouble would have been a’ brewing. Grade of C+ (77-79 pts).

Cameron Hughes Lot 9 –2003 Paso Robles Syrah
(100% Syrah; Paso Robles, California; From a single vineyard; 19 months in mostly neutral French oak; 1,240 cases; Originally meant to sell at $35-$40; $8-12 US)
Of all the syrahs tasted, this showed the brightest fruit on the nose. The palate initially follows this fruit forwardness, but then just falls off into thin flavors of watery cherries and finishes with a strange Madeira note. It almost like someone took a Syrah and mixed it with a good dose of Pinot Noir and a splash of Madeira. It performs as a $10 bottle should, but isn’t for me. Grade of High C+ (78-80 pts).

Cameron Hughes Lot 10 – 2002 Cabernet Sauvignon
(82% Cabernet Sauvignon, 11% Cabernet Franc, 4% Merlot, 3% Petite Verdot; 68% Alexander Valley, 21% Dry Creek, 11% Knights Valley, California; 4,000 cases; Originally meant to sell at $30-$50; $8-12 US)
Cameron says that this is one of the best quality to price ratio wines he has ever released and I have to agree that it is very good. I don’t think it is his best wine, but it is certainly one of the better releases and a tremendous value. Sweet dark cherries greet your nose and ripe cherries, oak, and tannins greet your palate. I wish it had a bit more fullness to the body, but this is good stuff that can easily handle a few years of aging. Grade of Low B (84-85 pts).

Cameron Hughes Lot 11 – 2003 Paso Robles Petite Sirah
(95% Petite Sirah, 5% Zinfandel ; Paso Robles, California; From a 20 year old single vineyard; 25 months in mostly neutral oak; 3,000 cases; $8-12 US)
Fragrant blackberry and crunchy red berries mix with hints of oak to form the core nose on this bad boy. This is for those who don’t mind some oak, as everywhere the dark fruits reign, the sweet vanilla oak is not far behind. The palate is velvety with plenty of sweet vanilla and lush black fruit. I don’t think this will age as many Petite Sirahs will, but it is quite sweet, lush, and enjoyable right now. I think many will enjoy the sweet vanilla of the oak in this wine. Just don’t go after it if you are oak adverse. Grade of High B (86-87 pts).

Cameron Hughes Lot 12 – 2003 Sonoma Mountain Syrah
(100% Syrah; Sonoma Mountain, California; From a single vineyard; 24 months in neutral oak; 1,200 cases; Originally meant to sell at $30; $8-12 US)
A rich and meaty cherry nose gets me excited for the palate, but it is to no avail. The flavors aren’t bad, but just can’t keep up with the nose. The rich, meaty cherries are there and so is some spice, but they are hidden beneath a pile of green herbs. Green herbs were not exactly what I wanted from this wine. But even with that, it is good for the money. Grade of B- (80-82 pts).

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Cameron Hughes Lot 13 – 2003 Cabernet Sauvignon
(80% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Merlot; 80% Dry Creek, 20% Napa Valley, California; 14 months in new French oak; 15.5% alc; 2,400 cases; Originally meant to sell at $30+; $8-12 US)
Flawed bottle as a very strange saline streak ran through the wine and blocked out most of the fruit. Not Graded.

Cameron Hughes Lot 14 – 2003 Merlot
(95% Merlot, 5% Cabernet Franc; 66% Rutherford, 24% Pope Valley, California; 3,700 cases; Originally meant to sell at $20-30; $8-12 US)
This is a rather boring bottle of wine. It is very correct for the grape and priced attractively, but it just leaves me wanting more. Cherries, chocolate, and light raspberries are the main components, but I wish it had more depth and strength. Grade of Low B- (79-81 pts).

Cameron Hughes Lot 15 – 2004 Cabernet Sauvignon
(95% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Cabernet Franc; 66% Rutherford, 18% Pope Valley, 16% Oakville, California; 28 months in new and neutral oak; 2,200 cases; Originally meant to sell at $32-$45; $9-13 US)
This wine was available as demand for 2003 vintage Cabernet Sauvignon was not at the same level as it had been for the 2001 and 2002 vintages. I am sure glad it was made available as it is one heck of wine. This is a ripe, lush, velvety, ripe cabernet that is full of cherries, chocolate, leather, and a touch of horse. Ready to go now with an hour or so of air. Along with the wine below, this was my favorite of the Lot series. Grade of B+ (87-89 pts).

Cameron Hughes Lot 16 – 2004 Stags Leap District Cabernet Sauvignon
(100% Cabernet, Stags Leap District, Napa, California; 5,000 cases; Originally meant to sell at $35-$50; $9-13 US)
Chocolate, ripe cherry, and raspberry combine to make a wonderful young wine. It is still tight and the oak is showing quite a bit as vanilla weaves its way through the chocolate and fruit, but this is good now and should be even better in a few years. Good stuff and along with the wine above, my favorite of the Lot series. Grade of B+ (87-89).

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Cameron Hughes Lot 17 – 2004 Sierra Foothills Barbera
(100% Barbera; Sierra Foothills, California; 14 months in new French oak; 500 cases; Originally meant to sell at $40 as a Grand Reserve bottling; $8-12 US)
Cameron really got a steal on this one as the winery who sold it to him has released a very similar “Reserve” blend that routinely scores in the low 90s. I don’t quite agree with those scores, but I’m not a huge fan of California Barbera either. On the nose, this shows spicy and sweet cherries with patches of candied raspberries. The palate picks up where the nose left off and mixes light pepper and vanilla oak with some candied red berry notes. Overall, this is too sweet and cloying for me. I think it will likely please the crowd, but I prefer a bit more substance and complexity. Still, it is an excellent value. Because of the small production, this is the only wine from Cameron Hughes that was only available on-line. Grade of B- (80-82 pts).

Cameron Hughes Lot 18 – 2004 South Africa Cabernet Sauvignon
(100% Cabernet Sauvignon; 85% Stellenbosch, 15% Paarl, South Africa; 1,600 cases; $8-12 US)
This wine was sourced from two high-end producers in Stellenbosch and one in Paarl. It was then blended together for Cameron. Sweet red berries that are bright and fruit forward form the nose and lead into an entirely different palate. Earth, oak, and tart, slightly thin cherries & raspberries create the flavor profile and leave me wanting. It finishes out a bit thin and just lacks that “oomph” factor. A rather odd wine at an attractive price. Grade of B- (80-82 pts).

Cameron Hughes Lot 19 – 2004 Stellenbosch, South Africa Merlot
(100% Merlot; 100% Stellenbosch, South Africa; 2,200 cases; $8-12 US)
The grapes for this wine were sourced from two high-end producers in Stellenbosch and blended together for this bottling. They form a wine that is a bit odd (just like the South African Cabernet Sauvignon above was a bit odd) as it kicks off with a strange, earthy, horsey nose. The palate follows this same odd trend as mineral laced dark cherries mix with bright, slightly tart, lightly flavored red berries. It is an interesting wine and again, well priced, but I am not a fan. Grade of High C+ (78-80 pts).

Cameron Hughes Lot 20 – 2005 Russian River Valley Chardonnay
(100% Chardonnay; Russian River Valley, California; Mostly stainless steel with a small amount of oak aged wine blended in; No malolactic fermentation; Originally meant to sell at $20-$25; 6,000 cases; $8-12 US)
A very creamy mouth feel gets me excited, but the fruit is a tad bland. This is just all dry vanilla cream pie with only a small portion of pear and citrus. Overall, I found it unexciting, but for the price it is pretty good buy. Grade of B- (80-82).

Cameron Hughes Lot 21 – 2004 Zinfandel
(76% Zinfandel, 16% Petite Sirah, 8% Merlot; 50% Amador County, 50% Lodi, California; 50+ year old vines; 18 months in mostly used oak; 2,800 cases; Originally priced at $20-$25; $8-12 US)
A sweet raspberry and boysenberry nose is kicked up a notch by a dose of black pepper. Rich, brambly black and red fruits highlight a palate that is lifted up by dark Petite Sirah flavors and chocolaty Merlot. This is a perfect foil for red meats with a zesty sauce. This is one heck of a great buy. Grade of Low B+ (86-88).

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Cameron Hughes Lot 22 – 2005 Edna Valley Chardonnay
(100% Chardonnay; Edna Valley, California; Aged and fermented in stainless steel; 10,000 cases; Originally priced at $18-$20; $8-12 US)
This wine fell into Cameron’s hands from a winery that had excess wine from the huge 2005 harvest. I’m glad it did. The nose is light and gentle with citrus, apricot and peach playing nice with each other. They get a little rambunctious on the palate as bigger flavors of baking spice, pear, lemon, and peach mix with vanilla and leave me shocked that no oak was used. There is a touch of heat on the finish, but this is good stuff that I would buy, drink, and serve to others. They may not seem like much, but I don’t like much US Chardonnay unless it comes from the Santa Cruz Mountains. That normally runs me north of $30 a bottle. I like this and it is south of $10. Grade of B (85 pts).

Cameron Hughes Lot 23 – 2002 Meritage
(75% Merlot, 14% Cabernet Sauvignon, 4% Petite Verdot, 4% Malbec, 3% Cabernet Franc; 63 % Sonoma County, 37% Napa County California; 24 months in new French oak; 15.5% alc; 3,600 cases; Originally priced at $35 and designated as a “Reserve”; $8-12 US)
Cameron sourced this from a high-end Carneros winery that was re-evaluating their still wine portfolio and discontinuing items difficult to market through traditional retail channels. I’m glad he found it as it is one heck of a deal. There is a light touch of horse on the nose that mixes with dark cherry, blackberry, and spicy aromas to start getting me excited. This is followed by a great body and a wonderful smooth mouth feel. Tobacco notes, dark berries, chocolate, and light touch of salinity form the core flavors and leave me very happy. This is good stuff. Grade of High B (86-87 pts).

Cameron Hughes Lot 24 - 2005 Sonoma Syrah
(100% Syrah; Sonoma, California; Mix of 3 single vineyard designate wines; Less than 775 cases; Originally meant to sell at $40-45; $8-12 US)
This is very new as it was just bottled a couple weeks ago, but you can tell it has outstanding potential. The nose is closed, but the palate is showing dark, brooding tannic cherry and blackberry. I like ‘em bold and dark so this is right up my alley. Grade of High B (85-87 pts).

Cameron Hughes Lot 25 - NV Napa Valley Carneros Sparkling Wine
(50% Chardonnay, 50% Pinot Noir; 100% 1998 vintage; Carneros, Napa, California; Disgorged ~ 2006; 6,000 cases; Originally meant to sell at $50+; $20-25 US)
Very consistent with a previous bottle tasted two days before, this shows bright pears and a touch of lemon dough. Over time, it opens up with some candied lemons and a touch of pine or gin. It is a bit on the dry side and has a short finish. I love the smell on this wine, but only wished the palate would rise up to equal it. I have not tasted it 12-24 hours after opening, but have been told it takes on a cinnamon graham cracker note that is quite nice. This is an excellent value and one of the top California sparklers out there. Grade of High B (86-87 pts).

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Cheers!

Brad Baker

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