Lot 68
2007 Margaret River Chardonnay

Tom Leykis and Cameron meet for the second time to discuss the evolution of the Lot Series and the new channels in which customers can buy Cameron Hughes Wine.

Cameron Hughes takes home five medals in the Los Angeles International Wine and Spirits competition! BEST OF CLASS, GOLD MEDAL Cabernet Sauvignon Lot 35 Yountville District 2005 GOLD MEDAL Cabernet Sauvignon Lot 61 McLaren Vale 2006 SILVER MEDAL Chardonnay Lot 68 Margaret River 2007 SILVER MEDAL Malbec Lot 52 Valle de Uco, Mendoza 2006 SILVER MEDAL Rose Rose of Garnacha, Lot 37 Campo de Borja DO 2006

A Superb Under $11 Australian Chardonnay from Cameron Hughes Available at Costco An Outstanding Wine Worth Tracking Down (Out of the Park for the Price) 2007 Cameron Hughes Lot 68 Chardonnay Australia (Margaret River - Western Australia) 14.2% Alcohol Screwcap Closure (Increasingly common even in Expensive Wines) Available at: Costco $10.99 (most, but not all Bay Area Stores)....in stock at Novato, Richmond, Redwood City, and Danville A stunning wine for the money - certainly one of the best white wines under $15 I've had in the last several years My Tasting Notes: Enjoyed Over Three Consecutive Nights - Both With and Without Food Lovely wine with perfect balance (what a treat and what a deal at under $11 a bottle). Its true quality emerges when the wine is served at around 65 degrees (cool but not cold). It's the texture and mouthfeel of this wine that really put it in a league with $25-$50 Chardonnays. Just a tinge of oak in the nose and in the taste of the wine. In the mouth the combination of ripe (pure) Chardonnay fruit (apples), a creamy texture, and a soft lingering finish add up to an outstanding wine experience. Good acidity and citrus components as well. The 14% alcohol does not overwhelm the drinker, but this is a wine best enjoyed during the coolness of evening. While the fruit is ripe, the wine does not taste of California. A wine with a sense of place - the mark of all wines which merit a special search. This wine proves that quality and low price can go hand in hand. You just gotta look and taste. Readers - you be the judge, but to my palate, simply outstanding wine! Taste: 3 Stars Value: 4 Stars (easily) Overall: 3 Stars to 3.5 Stars

Back in June, I told you about some delicious white wines for summertime quaffing. I've had the opportunity since then to taste a number of excellent whites. Best of all, each costs $20 or less. Remember to serve them all well-chilled. CHARDONNAY: There's a place for bigger, richer chardonnays, but my picks for summer and the lighter foods I'm eating are the chardonnays that are lean and zingy, with plenty of fruit, firm acidity and not too much oak or alcohol. One example is the 2006 Estancia Pinnacles Ranches Chardonnay ($12), a refreshing wine brimming with apples and pears. The 2007 Taz Chardonnay ($20) from Santa Barbara County is racy and lemony, with green apple flavors and plenty of zip. Costco shoppers should pick up the 2007 Cameron Hughes "Lot 68'' Chardonnay ($13), a wine from Western Australia's Margaret River appellation with lots of bright apple fruit and a hint of creaminess. (The wine is also available online at www.chwine.com.) Contact Laurie Daniel at ladaniel@earthlink.net.

Review - Cameron Hughes - Hughes-Wellman & Lot Series 52,66,68,71,73,79,91 2005 Cameron Hughes - Hughes-Wellmen Cabernet Sauvignon The following are my tasting notes on the latest wines from Cameron Hughes. You can read more about Cameron and my past reviews here. 2006 Rockridge Chardonnay, $<10 - Magnum Score: 82pts - Notes: Not a bad value - hints of melon, pear, and pineapple, beats 2 buck chuck anyday! Full disclosure: The wines rated below were all press samples. Lot 52 2006 Valle De Uco Malbec (Argentina), $13, 14.5% ABV Score: 90 pts (A-) - Notes: Dark Fruit Characteristics, Food Friendly Lot 66 2006 Veneto Pinot Grigio (Italy), $10, 12% ABV Score: ? - Notes: Glycerin, Post Bottle Fermentation, Hot and Astringent. Bad Bottle, planning to retaste Lot 68 2006 Margaret River Chardonnay (Australia), $13, 14.2% ABV Score: 90pts (A-) - Notes: Citrus, Melon, Mineral, Rock Lot 71 2004 Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon (California), $15, 14.5% ABV Score: 82pts (B-) - Notes: Cherry Syrup, Tart, Raspberry, Medium Bodied Lot 73 2006 Chalk Hill Cabernet Sauvignon (California), $16, 14.5% ABV Score: 90pts (A-) - Notes: Tasted 2x’s, Inky Purple, Anise, Vanilla, Oak, Very tight, buy & hold. Lot 79 2005 Napa Valley Merlot (California), $14 Score: 78pts (C+) - Notes: This is an overly extracted, Syrupy wine that just didn’t taste that good. (Off the website for a reason?) Lot 91 2007 Russian River Valley Chardonnay, (California), $14, 13.9% ABV Score: 86pts (B) - Notes: A Chardonnay for Sauvignon Blanc Lovers, Good Acidity, Citrus 2005 Hughes-Wellman Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon, $50, 14.5% ABV Score: 90pts (A-) - Notes: A very pleasant first effort at a higher end offering from Cameron. This big Cab has a somewhat weak nose at the moment, but offers hints of black cherry and blueberry. I kept getting whiffs of bell pepper, which through me off a bit, but over time that could blow off. Usually it’s just a sign of grapes harvested from younger vines. The wine possesses good tannic structure with cranberry notes on the palate and a finish that lingers on the tongue. This monster could stand to mellow in the cellar for a bit. I’m excited to see how this wine develops in bottle and look forward to any future releases under this label as the potential for a bargain trophy wine is here. Drink 2010 - 2015 On a side note, I am proud of Cameron for using more screw cap closures. A few of the bottles sent that were sealed with the traditional cork were tainted.