By way of background, opening thoughts: Cameron Hughes is a negociant, pulling surplus wines and juice together under an umbrella label, seeking higher value per price than the originating wineries can achieve. This is a single vineyard zinfandel from the label. There are half a dozen or so labels that source from these vineyards, so I won't even venture a guess as to the originally intended label. But most do, indeed, retail for considerably more than this modestly-priced offering.
Original tasting and review, October, 2011: This is Cameron Hughes Lot 219 Zinfandel, Monte Rosso Vineyard, Sonoma Valley, California, 2009, finished at 15.3% alcohol, a whopper.
In the glass: CH Lot 219 is bold inky magenta, just turning opaque in the center of the glass.
On the nose: Poured cool with a brief decant and swirled vigorously, shows bold, rich, structured fruit with definite oak surround sound. From the aroma, seems like this will be thick, chewy and perhaps sweet in feel, with some higher-toned red notes.
On the palate: The primary elements on the palate are in fact deep black and red currant fruit, rich in the mid-palate, almost viscous, with fruit elements of ripe blackberries and raspberries. A bright ring surrounds the sweet middle, and tannins accompany the sweet red acids to a lingering but clean finish.
In summary: Overall, bold and bright/balanced experience rates four stars on the five-star Spirit of Wine scale, making this a best value.
Updated review, over a year later, December, 2012: Consistent color. Bright black, blackberry nose and bold, spiky aromatic elements. Still strong, solid, bold fruit plus solid underlying red berry tannic structure.
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