Any thoughts on the source for Cameron Hughes Pinot vertical?

Looks interesting. From shiners & the Santa Rita Hills.

Dear Friends,

Chalk this up amongst our greatest scores – certainly up there with our Private Reserve Cabernet offering. Like the Private Reserve, we have another amazing vertical opportunity; however, today’s offer hails not from Napa Valley but from a single vineyard in the incredible Santa Rita Hills growing district of California’s Central Coast.

This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to own a 2010-2013 vertical of pedigreed, gorgeous, single vineyard designate Pinot Noir from what is universally lauded as one of the best places to grow Pinot in the United States - the Santa Rita Hills. The vineyard is specifically mentioned and highly acclaimed by Antonio Galloni in his 2014 report on the region. However, instead of the producer’s price of $50+/bottle, this amazing collection can be had for just $19/bottle.

To boot, each vintage of Pinot Noir is available individually so you can mix and match to your pleasure. Each vintage features the same vineyard, is comprised of a 115, 667, and 777 Dijon clone blend (more about Pinot Noir clones here), is made from the same barrel regimen, and bottled unfined and unfiltered – in short, a perfectly consistent snapshot of the vintage.

I highly recommend you get at least one bottle of each. The bottle aging has been done for you – we bought these as shiners (bottles with no label), and each has been perfectly stored and are all drinking beautifully (especially the 2010 and 2011). These wines are available for mix and match (no wood boxes), and ship as any other of our wines would. There are only a couple hundred cases of each vintage available, so if rich, powerful California Pinot Noirs are your thing, do not hesitate to pull the trigger on this offer. See below for tasting notes…



Lot 516 2010 Sta. Rita Hills Pinot Noir – Gorgeously uplifted nose of spicy clove, nutmeg and black cherry backed by wood resin and savory leather aromas. On the palate, rich raspberry, black cherry, and uplifted oak. Just hitting its stride. You’ll notice plenty of sediment clinging to the sides of the bottle – perfectly natural.

Lot 517 2011 Sta. Rita Hills Pinot Noir – This wine came through beautifully in a challenging vintage. Certainly the more “Burgundian” of the four Pinots (I used that term very loosely; there is no mistaking these wines for Burgundy, they’re pure California), redolent with spicy, peppery raspberry and leather aromas which are perfectly echoed on the palate. Resonates with deliciousness.

Lot 518 2012 Sta. Rita Hills Pinot Noir - Leathery top notes with brooding black fruit and raspberry kirsch that are just beginning to poke out of the ample structure. This wine is powerfully built with tremendous spine like a Cabernet – clearly the powerful 777 clone over-performed in this picture perfect vintage. Just beginning to reveal itself, and will definitely benefit with more bottle age and plentiful decants in the near term.

Lot 519 2013 Sta. Rita Hills Pinot Noir – The nose reminds me of the 2011 vintage with more spicy red fruit and leather/pepper notes. The palate is more delicate, nuanced, and floral than the muscular 2012, yet displays sappy fruit, ample stuffing, and “Burgundian” soul. Extremely pretty wine with a long life ahead of it.

Wanted to bump this up. I’m curious about this offer as well, and wondered if anyone knows anything about the vineyard/winery, or has tasted any of these.

Thanks,

Dave

Seems like a small price to pay for the potential. I’d be curious to know alc levels on each of these but other than that, $19 ea. For Sta Rita Hills pinots? Try em and let us know what you think!

For what it’s worth: COLA Registry lists Carr Winery: http://www.carrwinery.com/vineyards/

Alcohol at 14.2.

The wines are sourced from Carr Winery and all are listed at 14.2% alcohol. (I find it highly unlikely that lab analysis all four bottlings came in at exactly 14.2% though.)

http://www.carrwinery.com/

Hi Larry - alc’s are all 14.2% except for the 2010 which was 14.8%…around 15% new oak.

Drinking the 2013 right now. Big, rich central coast Pinot. Burger pinot. The level of extract and a bit of cola will be red flags for some, but I think it’s a delicious drink and a great buy at $19 or so.