Cameron Hughes Private Reserve

[Andrew_Breskin]

Why not Bond? They have those plots all over the place

[Nolan_E]

As far as I know, Bond hasn’t been sold.

[ToddFrench]

I’ll post pics of the corks once we open them, but that’s not for almost a couple weeks yet…someone else might get to open them sooner

[brigcampbell]

We’re the worst! I’m bummed I can’t make this but traveling 10 straight days for work.

I really like blind tasting and this is shaping up to be a real treat.

Please make everyone that attends hang a score!

@Todd F r e n c h

Cameron sent me a pack of this vertical to try with some Berserkers, and we’re scheduled to do the tasting on the 16th. Won’t help those of you who plan to purchase it, though, sorry, but that’s the soonest I could get an OC gang together, as apparently no weekends are available…ever.

I know nothing more about them other than the ‘cult’ story shown on the website, but we’ll be posting notes after the tasting. I’m told I will need to open them for quite a few hours, or double decant them.

[ToddFrench]

@brigcampbell

We’re the worst! I’m bummed I can’t make this but traveling 10 straight days for work.

I really like blind tasting and this is shaping up to be a real treat.

Please make everyone that attends hang a score!

@Todd F r e n c h

Cameron sent me a pack of this vertical to try with some Berserkers, and we’re scheduled to do the tasting on the 16th. Won’t help those of you who plan to purchase it, though, sorry, but that’s the soonest I could get an OC gang together, as apparently no weekends are available…ever.

I know nothing more about them other than the ‘cult’ story shown on the website, but we’ll be posting notes after the tasting. I’m told I will need to open them for quite a few hours, or double decant them.

With you not coming, who the hell is going to write down notes???

Sorry folks, no notes with no Brig.

[brigcampbell]

@Todd F r e n c h

I’ll post pics of the corks once we open them, but that’s not for almost a couple weeks yet…someone else might get to open them sooner

Cut the foil and put a flashlight on the neck!

[ykwon]

@Carlton McCrindle

@Nolan E

@DavidZ

If the bottles were sold to CH as “shiners”, wouldn’t the cork give away the producer?

I haven’t been involved in tons of shiner bottlings, but the ones I’ve done have been with unbranded corks.

A reviewer on the CH website noted that between the “design” on the cork and Cam’s notes, he believes he knows who produced the wine.

Paging Jacob from Palo Alto. Speak up if you are a member of WB

[CJ_Beazley]

@Rick Price

Pillar Rock is a good guess, but it won’t work because the land was sold, but not the winery or the brand – with the CH wine it’s the reverse.

The clues here are:

• Vintages from 2006-2011
• The winery changed hands between two individuals, i.e. the purchaser was not a corporation
• Normal pricing of the wine (presumably full retail) is $200-$250/bottle
• Vineyards in Oakville, Rutherford, Yountville, and St. Helena
• One of the “most iconoclastic” cult producers
• Produced in 100% French oak (interestingly this part seems to have disappeared from the CH website, although it’s still on line elsewhere – I thought this was pretty common though)
• “Production overseen by the world’s foremost wine consultant”

It’s like one of the Garagiste mystery wines, except more promising…

If not for the price I would say Mayacamas, kind of a stretch to call it a “cult” but they are in business to sell wine.

[Ian_Dorin]

Gemstone?

[mike_pobega]

I just purchased this plus 4 other vineyard designates. I am wrapping CLONYC 48 around it. Seats filled in 6 hours. Tentative December 16th. Should be fun.

[Steve_Nordhoff]

@Todd F r e n c h

@brigcampbell

We’re the worst! I’m bummed I can’t make this but traveling 10 straight days for work.

I really like blind tasting and this is shaping up to be a real treat.

Please make everyone that attends hang a score!

@Todd F r e n c h

Cameron sent me a pack of this vertical to try with some Berserkers, and we’re scheduled to do the tasting on the 16th. Won’t help those of you who plan to purchase it, though, sorry, but that’s the soonest I could get an OC gang together, as apparently no weekends are available…ever.

I know nothing more about them other than the ‘cult’ story shown on the website, but we’ll be posting notes after the tasting. I’m told I will need to open them for quite a few hours, or double decant them.

With you not coming, who the hell is going to write down notes???

Sorry folks, no notes with no Brig.

I will post some notes

[Kris_Patten]

@CJ Beazley

@Rick Price

Pillar Rock is a good guess, but it won’t work because the land was sold, but not the winery or the brand – with the CH wine it’s the reverse.

The clues here are:

• Vintages from 2006-2011
• The winery changed hands between two individuals, i.e. the purchaser was not a corporation
• Normal pricing of the wine (presumably full retail) is $200-$250/bottle
• Vineyards in Oakville, Rutherford, Yountville, and St. Helena
• One of the “most iconoclastic” cult producers
• Produced in 100% French oak (interestingly this part seems to have disappeared from the CH website, although it’s still on line elsewhere – I thought this was pretty common though)
• “Production overseen by the world’s foremost wine consultant”

It’s like one of the Garagiste mystery wines, except more promising…

If not for the price I would say Mayacamas, kind of a stretch to call it a “cult” but they are in business to sell wine.

Mayacamas is a pretty poor guess, they are in Mt. Veeder to start and never sell for $200-250.

Can’t sort out why everyone ignores the OP and the COLA that it comes from Harlan…which Harlan project would be the question. I’d bet Napa Valley Reserve is a solid guess.

[Kyle_Schlachter]

There is second COLA up with Lot 2012 listed as fanciful name. Yes, the vertical pack COLA was done by Harlan (Lot 2006). None of the changes on the label/wine through Lot 2011 necessitate a new COLA so presumably they all were labeled by Harlan. Most likely a different brand Harlan purchased and wanted to clear out old wine not associated with their future plan. Since this all happened “quietly” I doubt many people know about which other wine was involved. NVR and Mascot (maybe Maiden) are decent guesses. Harlan does also source fruit so “estate” could also mean any long-term contract vineyard and not Harlan or Bond fruit. Seems rather sloppy they put Harlan on CH COLA if they used him for his discretion. Either I’m sure Cameron has been following this thread with a big smile on his face…

[Kris_Patten]

Kyle,

Why insinuate that a winery can hide selling finished alcohol to another entity…do you think it’s legal to sell it anonymously? The government tracks every transaction for tax purposes.

[Alan_Eden]

Whats COLA please

[Dennis_Kanagie]

@Alan Eden

Whats COLA please

[Kevin_Porter]

@Alan Eden

Whats COLA please

Not positive myself, but quick google got this - TTBGov - Colas

[M_A_T_T_H_A_R_T_L_E_Y]

Napa valley reserve or perhaps Ladera Lone Canyom shiners…

[Walt_Hoehler]

The guessing game is certainly entertaining, but think for a minute. The deeper this board digs, the more difficult (marginally) it will be for Cam to come up with these (and other) cherries. The disincentives grow for the next winery looking to move juice.

Let it go and enjoy the wine. We’ll all be better off. Sorta like Fight Club and B*rn’s.

[Kyle_Schlachter]

@Kris Patten

Kyle,

Why insinuate that a winery can hide selling finished alcohol to another entity…do you think it’s legal to sell it anonymously? The government tracks every transaction for tax purposes.

Yes, wineries do it all the time!! Apart from knowing Harlan applied for the COLA and the juice is at least 75% from Napa Valley we know nothing else about wine for a FACT. We can trust CH, but that still does not necessarily mean the wine was produced by Harlan (or any of its subsidiary wineries). The team at Harlan knows how to get rid of excess wine without the public knowing that it is selling for 1/10 the price in a different label. Ttb does not track where grapes or bulk wine comes from, but wineries are required to keep records in case of an audit. I can’t speak to CA law, but volume and appellation are the things tracked so excise tax and COLAs can be verified.