OG dN Lot 249 2019 Russian River Valley Pinot Noir
PnP. This is now ready without a decant, IMO. Now into case #2 of 3. It was only $168/case and definitely worth the $.
#249 will likely age well for a couple more years. I choose to consume it now, regardless of additional aging considerations.
PnP, and still a double Yum 
with Asian inspired Salmon Bowl, for our Granddaughter’s 20th birthday 
celebration 
After tasting dn.269 Spring Mountain Cabernet I got some coconut character that I typically find in American oak aged wines. I think there is certainly French oak here too, but even after day 2, still getting that coconut-tinged butterscotch note at the end. Anyway, I’m not suggesting sleight of hand or anything, I just think that even though it wasn’t mentioned in the description, there may be some American oak here, for those who care.
Though today we all got announcements of available $25-$50 dNé Cabernet Sauvignon wines, not listed was our lunch’s (fresh baked NC trout, chanterelle mushrooms from our lower garden area and SC watermelon & blueberries) Gold awarded L. 244 Dry Creek 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon. Oh my, has this wine turned a very recent evolving corner and now sits squarely with a lower 90s score. Though originally $14 and today still only $18 w/shipping, this has turned out to be a most unique everyday ‘cellar defender’. CH comments on this wine are spot on [ Looking for a delicious drink-now Cabernet Sauvignon that hugely over-delivers? Look no further, Lot 244 2018 Dry Creek Cabernet Sauvignon is a classic, right-up-the-middle expression of Dry Creek terroir that will drink wonderfully now and age nicely over the next decade.]. A
Thursday evening get together friend brings 2014 Freemark Abbey Cabernet Bosche- he’s been WC member almost 2 decades there. It’s ALWAYS a treat when he brings these. Decanted the N.34 3 hours before serving (back into bottle). Poured the Bosche first being older wine. 1st taste, the Petite Verdot makes this “edgy”. However, it’s a big Napa Cab made by a master, expectations are for this wine to last decades. Poured the N.34 next, it’s AS DARK as the Bosche. On the nose and in the mouth Earl Grey Bergamot tea, ripe rasberry fruit. It’s what I like about this wine. Tannic, long finish and CERTAINLY NO SLOUCH compared to '14 Freemark Bosche Cabernet. N.34 Merlot give it another year in bottle for this to really sing.
'14 Freemark Bosche: 95 points
'18 N.34 Bennet Valley Merlot 93 points.
OG N.86 2018 Walla Walla Valley Merlot
2.5 years in the bottle, time to try one. Early Afternoon 45 minute decant, back into bottle, then back into decanter for consumption.
This is rich, jammy (the 5% Syrah?), and fleshy. Very enjoyable Merlot, that tastes just like a fine Merlot. The 18% CS in the blend married nicely.
I wanted a good Merlot, this delivered nicely. At $120/case it rates a QPR accolade.
This should age nicely, guessing another 2-3 years.
with Tacos al Pastor
OG N. 117 2019 Sonoma Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
2.5+ years in the bottle. Almost all the 2.5 cases already gone. I drank this wine before it’s time.
Afternoon 1 hour decant. Delicious and refined. When I want an elegant CS, this has been a go to.
Amazing QPR, especially considering:
“Farmed at just one-cluster per shoot (yielding under two tons per acre), fermented in open-top redwood vats, and aged in 50% new French oak, its a steal at $11/bottle, $132/case.”
Thanks go to Cam the Curator! Drinking well currently with a moderate decant. This will cellar longer. Unfortunately, it’s going, going, gone……soon.
Scott with Rack of Lamb. Cabernet 
Lamb
Another Raleigh DeNegocer is coming over as the wife is out of town.
We will be sampling from the following:
19, 24, 31, 32, 48, 58, 65, 70A-D, 102, 112, 119, 143,159, 172, 176, 181, 194, 203, 255, 301, 307, 315
Last night: 192 2019 Knights Valley Cabernet Sauvignon - did anyone ever have guesses as to where this came frorm? Outrageously good, inky, but balanced, plush, soft tannins, deep fruit. Really dug this, and for $13 bucks? Getouttahere.
Eric,
According to denegociants it is from Brandon Gregory Brookshire Vineyard. I have some of these in LTS and I am looking forward to getting them.
Thanks Dave! it is very, very good.
and tonight, I am dipping into N. 385, 2019 Napa Cab thought to be William Cole Vineyard. Another excellent wine that will benefit from a few years of cellaring. Dark fruit profile, tons of cassis (as pointed out in Cam’s notes), velvety on the palate, rich, with plenty of structure. Has a distinct sweetness at the front, which I suspect will dissipate over time. Not an RS type sweetness, just plenty of fruit.
3 hour decant, and as I sip this it is growing on me even more. Solid mid-90s play here.
315 France cab…second half of the bottle so on a 24 hour in the bottle decant. Y’all this is a great wine… today it drinks like a cali cab, not French (I consider that a good thing) .I’m absolutely angry that I didn’t get 2 cases more at $6.50 a bottle in the 4th sale….
Cam (who has gone radio silent on this site recently:) can we arrange a “Luke 9th of July sale” for an even $7 a bottle shipped and we can just call it even 
Adam, @adam_piper I’m interested in your take on 315 from your tasting tonight (if you can remember anything after tasting that much wine)
Dual Notes - no real foos - some Texas sausage and Simple mills cheddar cracker -
19 - Better day one - wife and I drank 4 glasses after kids went to bed - added it to this tasting for day 2 notes - drink now - fruit, smooth, not very complex.
31- Needed 45 min - Solid, good, spice, classic zin, not much heat, some pepper, some vegetal, medium superb tannins
70B - Needs a little air, good cherry cola, stand alone higher elevation Oregon pinot, solid
194 - Best in show out of the bottle and better w 2 hours.
315 - Crowd pleaser - best $8 bottle I’ve ever had.
385 - After 2 hours - still needs air, disappointing, but had high expectations and it didn’t meet them
Overall
Best in Show: 194
Best Value: 315
Nothing award winning, butt immediately good and could drink 5 bottles tonight
Surprise: 31
Once opened up, runner up of the night
I really like the 315. I hate that I missed the July 4th sale well. If I were a restauranteur, this would be my House red. I would be happy paying $12 a glass for its with a meal.
Had number one last night. Decanted for about four hours. The oak on the finish is starting to integrate. This one is coming along. I’d give it a 90
I had the pleasure of sipping a 240 & 68 cab side by side last night, both of which had been open about 24 hours. There was no time for contemplation or detailed analysis, but the 240 was high-toned & elegant with perfectly pitched red fruits. The 68 was deeper & richer with darker fruit, but equally elegant and compelling. Very pleased with both wines.
Last week I opened a 195 meritage (slow-ox) and the Pionero Rioja (also slow-oxed; brother loves Rioja). The 195 is a favorite of mine, also high-toned & elegant like the 240, and there was none left. The rioja was brawny, tight & prickly even after 24 hours & some time in the glass. More than half the bottle was left. When we revisited the rioja two days later, however, it was singing: well integrated, nicely structured & an excellent Spanish wine. It just needs time, imho.
Does anyone have any Cameron Hughes left in their cellar and if so has anyone compared the quality of juice side by side?
I’ve got some older CH, and every time I open one, I’m impressed.
Hard to compare apples to apples, especially with age differences.
Adam,
Higher quality wines with de Negoce vs CH Wines. Think he’s had a “vision” of this coming for a long time being in the wine business for decades. Fortunate timing that '18 vintage came along with such quality and excess availability. Then Covid hit and all that spare wine REALLY needed a home. Thus allowing Cameron to cherry pick wines for his business of getting his fan base wines at 60-80% OFF. Of course, most of us didn’t need such volumes of wine, until we fell under that spell of GETTING 60-80% OFF these suberb wines. And we are all hooked now on that model.
Cheers, Tim
Tempted by the recent Xavier Vignon offer - anyone tried the Gigondas or Lirac?
