Cameron Hughes Takes Advantage of the Wine Glut - WSJ.com

Cameron Hughes Takes Advantage of the Wine Glut - WSJ.com

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Lot 165 Pinot - buy this one!

Lot 165 Cameron Hughes Wine

Vintage:  2008 Appellation:  Los Carneros Grape:  Pinot Noir Alcohol by volume:  14.1% Production:  792 cases Release date:  April 23, 2010

Taste: Magenta center with a crimson rim. Aromas of crushed raspberries, strawberries, and violets populate the nose alongside hints of black cherry. On the palate, this wine soars with vibrant acidity and opulent bramble fruits. With both feet well in the new world, this lavish Pinot has great balance and superior structure. The fruit continues to evolve as this wine departs with a long finish of soft tannins and lingering berries.

90 + Wines from Cameron Hughes

90 + point wines reviewed by Wine Enthusiast

Lot 125 Pinot from Cameron Hughes - one of the best pinots I have ever had

Pinots from Cameron Hughes - sign on and order quick

Cameron Hughes Wine: Hughes-Wellman 2006 Cabernet

2003 Stolpmann Sangiovese Estate Grown, Santa Ynez Valley

I was lucky to find this in my stock to go with my handmade beef ravioli.  I made a delicious tomato sauce with garlic, onions, crimini mushrooms, parsley and fresh chopped tomatoes (a little wine in the sauce doesn't hurt).  Needless to say, the wine was perfect.  I did decant it and it brought out a its bouquet.  Santa Ynez Valley, where this vineyard is located has calcareous soils and ideal weather for sangiovese.  Stolpmann Winery is an award winning winery.  You will be extremely pleased with their other varietals as well.  These wines do well with aging.

2001 Turley Pesenti Zin

When moving AGAIN, I had to transport my library stash of wines.  I found a '01 Zin and thought "oh no", this will be too jammy for me.  I have found that Zins, especially from Paso Robles, don't age well.  They become much too fruity for my tastes.  In fact, I am just about over the "over the top" alc and fruit forward wines.  Unfortunately this wine was too "thick" and fruity for me, even though I had it with ribs smothered in BBQ sauce.  The rest of the wine though I used for a delicious reduction sauce which is perfect for a nice juicy NY steak.  My advice is to drink your California Zins within 3-5 years.  The Turley Winery is an excellent winery and Pesenti was one of the original wineries of Paso Robles.  The Pesenti vineyard is old vine zin.  In the front of the Paso winery, there are some of the original vines, I believe are over 100 years old.  Wines from Turley are $$$.

Cameron Hughes Wines now at Sam's

Cameron Hughes Wine's now at Sam's Club

Amigos Grill*cocina Mexican y cantina

Long story as how I found Amigos Grill but what a find.  They have the best Margaritas I have EVER had.  The feature is the Don Pilar tequila. The producer of this tequila and owner of the restaurant, Don Pilar, makes an excellent tequilla as well has a restaurant with an extremely comfortable, relaxing atmosphere to enjoy authentic Mexican cuisine.  The Margaritas are presented and then the bartender tops it off in front of you with a generous amount of Grand Marnier.  It is the most delicious Margarita you will have here in California and I have had quite a few - here and in Mexico.  The food is autentico Mexicano.  Fun atmosphere.  They are having a Cinco de Mayo celebration - so brace yourself for a crowd including a Mariachi band.  It should be lots of fun.  Good food, wine and tequila!!!  See you there on May 5.  This restaurant is located in a remote location off of Alpine Rd off Hwy 280 in Portola Valley.  It's worth the trip.  Good people, good food, good tequila.

2008 tangent Sauv Blanc

Wow - I've always like this producer.  The Sauv Blanc from Edna Valley - Paragon Vineyards is one of my favorite wines for the summer.  Careful, you can drink the entire bottle yourself.  Delicious with or without food.  Crisp, clean and bright.  Nice grapefruit and green apple.  Enjoy best as an aperitif with cheeses.  One of my favorite is to pile thickly shaved parmesan cheese on a serving dish with water crackers.  A great snack when you are just lounging on the couch.  Stock up on this wine for the up coming hot summer.  Christian Roguenant, tangent winemaker, is an outstanding, award winning winemaker.

2008 Cameron Hughes Lot 165 Pinot Noir

From Los Carneros, Lot 165 '08 Pinot is a delicious wine, beautiful color, clear, soft fruit and finish.  A very delicate wine that I enjoyed sipping on while preparing dinner (my favorite thing to do).  I grilled salmon with garlic pepper and lemon; then placed it on top of sauteed vegetables of shitaki mushrooms, asparagus and red onions.  This Lot may not be released yet.  If you can't find it, buy up the '07 Lot 125 Pinot from Carneros also.  This wine is awesome and one of the best Pinots I've ever tasted.

Liquid Assets: Wine from Paso Robles | SacWineRegion.com

Liquid Assets: Wine from Paso Robles | SacWineRegion.com

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New Release

New Release

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Upcoming Winery Events in Amador County

Upcoming Winery Events in Amador County

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Cameron Hughes Wine Lot 138, Cabernet, Santa Barbara

This wine is almost sold out.  No wonder.  For $8.99, you get one of the best cabs from Santa Barbara.  Nice cherry fruit on the palate, soft tannins.  This wine is good sipping by the glass or paired with food.  I had a glass while cooking dinner.  Then I had a glass with my pasta with marinara sauce, hot pepper flakes and parm on top.  It was all delicious.  Then I had another glass after.  This wine is very easy to drink and goes down smooth.  It's amazing that the price point is only $9 bucks.  It's worth 3x as much.

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Untitled document

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Italian restaurant | Alamo, Danville, San Ramon, Walnut Creek | Italian Food | Pizza Restaurants

Italian restaurant | Alamo, Danville, San Ramon, Walnut Creek | Italian Food | Pizza Restaurants

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Untitled document

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Ready for Passport Weekend?

Ready for Passport Weekend?

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Vina Robles | Update from Vina Robles

Vina Robles | Update from Vina Robles

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The Seven Most Surprising Wine Regions

The Seven Most Surprising Wine Regions

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STEVE HEIMOFF| WINE BLOG » Blog Archive » Arroyo Seco: good wine, but nobody knows where it is

STEVE HEIMOFF| WINE BLOG » Blog Archive » Arroyo Seco: good wine, but nobody knows where it is

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Ancient Peaks Winery

Ancient Peaks Winery

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April Winery Events in Amador County

April Winery Events in Amador County

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