Availability: Private wineshops in BC
Cost: $18-20
Alcohol: 14.6%
Production: 10,000 cases
Date Tasted: May 23rd, 2012
Tasting Notes: To use a crude analogy, the Cameron Hughes Wine company is the HotWire.com of the wine industry. You know roughly where you're going to stay and the star rating (or the basic provenance in wine terms) but you never know exactly what you're buying until you pay (or taste the wine). This "Lot Series" Meritage is said to come from a Napa Valley Cabernet producer that sells wines priced from $50-200 dollars but was dealt a hand of over-supply in 2009 and sold-off their excess barrels. There is certainly some Napa Valley ripeness at play in the bottle, but the Cameron Hughes wine-finishing team have blended in County fruit to round-out the palate and then returned it to barrel for further aging. The result is a blend of 50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Merlot, 13% Cabernet Franc and 12% Malbec, that is incredibly easy to drink without feeling weak and feeble.
Ripe black cherry and blackberry fruit dominate the sweet nose and smooth palate. Some pepper and pencil shaving notes add complexity and help ground the fruit characters. The finish is long and balanced with lingering tartness that is very refreshing and mouth watering. Hold for 3+ years if you want, but there's no need as this excellent blend is ready to go now. Drink now-2015.
- Liam Carrier ©copyright 2012 IconWines.ca
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