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Cameron Hughes Wine – Lot 200 2008 Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

Cameron Hughes Wine - Lot 200 2008 Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
I visited Costco last week. Not my local Costco, but one I gladly traveled to for one specific reason…Cameron Hughes Wine (CHW).   My local Costco has not been carrying it and we were anxious to discover what new Lots are available and try some new wines.

Score!  I was in hog heaven.  So much to choose from as I carefully placed an assortment of wines in my basket. I felt like the Grinch that Stole Christmas, happily and greedily bringing home 5 new bottles of different Lots.  On average a bottle of CHW is around $9-$14. When I got home I about fell over when I realized that one of the bottles was $26. Which one? Ashamedly, I have to admit, I didn’t research any details about the bottles I proudly lined up on our kitchen counter like trophies. Hubby and I looked forward to slowly trying each bottle of wine over time and my intention was to take tasting notes.

I’m afraid my story gets grim (if you’re a wine drinker), but it’s all my bad.

So, this last weekend we opened the first bottle from our new stash of CHW. We started with Lot 200 a 2008 Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon. Why out of the five bottles we selected Lot 200 first, I don’t know, but we did. I’ll explain. We make opening a bottle of wine that we haven’t tried before, an occasion. Because Cameron Hughes Wines offers ultra-premium wines from both domestic and international wine regions at exceptional value prices to the consumer, it’s exciting to try new Lots that we might not otherwise consider due to pricing.  It becomes an event for us.  So the tasting began.

In short, it was light to medium bodied and a beautiful garnet, and it wasn’t smooth. My immediate response was “I’ve had better.”

As I sat down to write up my own expression on Lot 200, I’m finishing my last sips of wine from that bottle. I visit the Cameron Hughes Facebook Page and came across much fan fare for Lot 200 and claims that it was “Our Best Release Yet” Whaaaat? Am I missing something? I watch the video and read their summary and introduction of Lot 200. As I’m nearing the end of the last paragraph, I have just swallowed the last of Lot 200 Cabernet Sauvignon and come across the following: “Please note this wine is just beginning to develop in the bottle and patience is advised.”   (Gulp!)

Here’s some facts that I should’ve read about before trying to enjoy the bottle:

  • Lot 200 2008 Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon is the most expensive bottle of wine to date, but the
    best valued wine at $25-$28 a bottle.
  • The winery it is sourced from doesn’t sell a bottle of wine for under $100.
  • Comes from a winery that is considered one of Napa’s greatest wine estates with many 100 point scores.
  • The wine is still very young. It’s translucent and transparent at this time (I’ll need to better understand what that means). “You can sense the structure, but can’t taste the wine yet.“

A good lesson to be sure and one I won’t soon forget.   First chance I have, the goal is to bring another bottle of Lot 200 home and let it mature…patience on our part and a lesson in reading more about the wine we’re trying (more than just what’s on the bottle’s label) to not only capture those important tidbits of information, but to also better appreciate what we are so anxious to savour.

Having finished a bottle of wine that was not ready to fully enjoy, I’m looking forward to revisiting the Lot again when it’s peaking and be able to appreciate it at it’s maturity.

If you enjoy wines, I encourage you to give Cameron Hughes Wines a try, if you haven’t already.    It might even be a good reason to have a tasting party over the upcoming holidays.

Cameron Hughes Web Site

Cameron Hughes Facebook Page – Listen to what Cameron Hughes has to say about Lot 200 2008 Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

Cameron Hughes Wine - Cork

Please Note: I am not affiliated with Cameron Hughes Wine, other than being a happy consumer.

Reader Interactions

Comments

  6. Georgia @ The Comfort of Cooking says

    I love these wine reviews you do, Cristina. You’ve really turned me on to some new tastes, and since my husband and I keep a (pretty large) cabinet of wine at all times (should I be ashamed of that?), it’s great to try new wines and change it up now and again. Thanks for sharing this review! This is one I’ll have to pick up next time we’re shopping.

  7. Karen says

    Ugh! I hate it when you open a bottle that would have benefitted greatly from laying down for a while!! Hopefully you can get another one and revisit it later.
    Good to hear that you like CH wines so much. I always see them at Costco, but have never tried any. I’m definitely going to try some now, and keep an eye out for that Lot 200.
    Thanks for the great info…

  8. FOODESSA says

    All I can really say is…I can think of worse ways to learn a lesson ;o) lol
    I’m far from being a wine connaisser…however, I do appreciate a great bottle of the fine stuff.
    I’m also slightly spoiled because most of my family members do make fine wines.

    Here’s hoping your next experiences go smoother for you.
    Flavourful wishes,
    Claudia

  9. Monet says

    Ah…there is so much to learn in the wine world! This is why I stick to my simple boxed wines (which is embarrassing, I know!) I’m sorry about your wine mishap, but hopefully next time you can enjoy this wine to its full potential. Thanks for sharing love!

  10. Chef Dennis says

    I have never heard of this winery, it sounds like quite a find! The costco in our area is a little to far, I use a Sam’s club mostly, I will look to see if they have it by any chance.
    Thanks for such a great post and for the information!
    Cheers
    Dennis

  12. Emily Z says

    This is the first time that I have read a wine review from you, as we’ve just discovered one another, but I enjoyed your honesty. I love wine myself, however, I’ve never been the type to wait around for it to mature when I have it in the house… then again, I don’t buy wines that require such patience, as I don’t have it. I like to drink it when it’s nearby! (I am drinking some right now, while checking other food blog, with The Princess Bride on in the background… it is a nice way to spend a cold, rainy, November night in the Midwest! 😉 )

    • Cristina - Teenie Cakes says

      Hi Emily – we are practically doing the same thing this evening. Hubby’s out for the evening so I’m enjoying a glass of wine and about to start the movie “Valentine’s Day” It’s a great way to wrap up the week.

      It’s the same for me too, I don’t usually need to wait for the wine to mature – I’m used to just getting right to it and enjoying it. 🙂

  14. Devaki @ weavethousandflavors says

    I love when you do your wine features – I always learn a little more about CA wines since I know very little about them – I am into Aussie wines 🙂 I always love a good complex cabernet.

    Ciao, Devaki @ weavethousandflavors

    • Cristina - Teenie Cakes says

      Thanks Devaki – I do appreciate your comment and it does encourage me to to finish the several drafts I have sitting and waiting to be published. I’m going to make an effort to try some Aussie wines 🙂

  15. bunkycooks says

    Patience is good to have with many wines. Good thing I like white wines to drink more regularly…most of them can be consumed quicker! No aging there! 😉 I will be curious to see how different this cab is the next time you try it after it has aged a bit. Hey, I would be glad to have nay wine right about now…too many meds to imbibe. 🙁

    • Cristina - Teenie Cakes says

      Gwen: I do enjoy your sense of humor and thank you for making me laugh (not at your expense). Yes, my friend, its probably not a good idea to enjoy vino right now with those meds and those meds are much more important to get you back on the mend. 🙂

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