The two vintage years of 2012 and 2013 in California have been excellent both in terms of quality and quantity. Negociants like Cameron Hughes have benefited because growers have more grapes to sell and wineries have extra juice, more than they can normally handle in their cellars. Thus, the consumer benefits and these two Cameron Hughes wines are outstanding.
Two Cameron Hughes wines we like now
Lot 431 Dry Creek 2012 Old Vine Zin
Costco and other stores for $12
This is a very tasty Zinfandel and a beautiful example of a brambly black fruit Zin, rich and full bodied. Dry Creek Valley is one of the great growing regions for Zinfandel. There are many old vine Zin vineyards there, but my guess is this one may have come from the Teldeschi Vineyards on the east bench of the Dry Creek Valley. Wherever it is from, if you are a Zinfandel fan, you must try this one. It is so balanced and not over the top. 89 Points
Lot 445 Chardonnay 2013 Arroyo Seco
Costco – $8.99
Balanced Chardonnay from Cameron Hughes
Janelle and I both like this Chardonnay because it has something that each of us enjoys in a Chardonnay. I like the more tropical fruit of the stainless steel variety of Chardonnay, while Janelle likes more of the oak and butter. This one is right in between, so we can both enjoy this wine with our dinner. Chicken, Halibut, and grilled shrimp will go nicely. I watched the Cameron Hughes video on his tasting of this wine, and his description was completely different from what we tasted. Cameron Hughes says this is a big buttery, oaky Chardonnay. No way in our opinion. The video is below. Try this wine if you like Chardonnay. The price at Costco is outrageously good. 88 Points.
Ford Coppola Director’s Cut Chardonnay
BevMo has their Five Cent sale on and Janelle, a fan of Chardonnay more on the oaky and buttery side, purchased two of the Francis Ford Coppola Director’s Cut Chardonnay. The price for two bottles averages out to $10 a bottle. Janelle and I both agree that this Chardonnay is generic in style, with not much to distinguish itself. It falls flat in the finish. We were both expecting more from this 2013 Sonoma Chardonnay, as we’ve enjoyed this wine at the winery and at restaurants. The Cameron Hughes 445 Chardonnay towers above this wine in our humble opinion.
I didn’t hear him say that? He mentioned the yin n yang of the 2013, which is how I read your review. I actually think he was spot on, and love this bottle, wow, what a value!!