A while ago, I got a promotional email from Snooth.com, advertising a special on Cameron Hughes wine – a case of 12 (3 each of 4 wines) for a great price, and it included free shipping. I’d never heard of Cameron Hughes, but I decided to give it a shot. This purchase is also my first time ordering wine online and having it shipped – now that the state of Georgia finally allows wine shipments via mail (too bad their other alcohol laws are still 1800s prudish!).

Cameron Hughes bottles a huge amount of wine based on a method they call the Lot Series. Here’s how it works – for several reasons, high-end wines often have an over-supply of grapes from a variety of vineyards. Cameron Hughes strikes a deal to bottle the juice from these premium vineyards. Rather than blending the various lots, they bottle each vineyard exclusively of the others. So, for example, this Lot 147 is 100% juice from only one specific premium vineyard. The various lots and their respective Cameron Hughes wine Lots come in a variety of price ranges and varietals. Interesting concept… but also one that you often can’t really get a lot of information about each specific lot or who the original/primary bottler would be. Cameron Hughes also sells to places like Sam’s Club and CostCo, so check it out.

This Cabernet from Sonoma County was delicious! It’s 100% Cab grapes and just very drinkable – a great balance – not too fruity and not too tannic. I’m glad I have more than one of these very drinkable wines.

Origin: Sonoma County, California
Where: Cameron Hughes Online
Price: $12.75 through the online special
Next time: Get a glass!

Now that we’re a couple of months into 2010, I took a look back at the wines I tried in 2009 and present to you my list of Favorite Red Wines of 2009! Fave 2009 Whites coming soon!

• Pine & Post Cab Sauv – $9
• Simonnet-Febvre Pinot Noir – ~ $10
• Finca el Origen Malbec – $11
• Lucky Star Pinot Noir - $9
• Mark West Sonoma County Pinot Noir – $12
• Memo Montepulciano – $11
• Morande Pionero Pinot Noir – $10
• Spellbound Petite Syrah – $13
• Alexander Valley Vineyards Russian River Valley Pinot Noir – $?
• Angeline Russian River Valley Pinot Noir – $14
• Oyster Bay Pinot Noir – $15
• G5 Puerta Bonita Garnacha – $15
• Eos Estate Zinfandel and Petite Syrah – $15ish? and $16
• Bliss Cab Sauv – $15
• Chateau Fantin Bordeaux Superioeur – $16
• Big Fire Pinot Noir – $18
• Poppy Pinot Noir – $16
• Rivola Sardon de Duero Cab Sauv – $17
• Vina Robles Cav Sauv – ~ $18
• Le Signal Domaine Ligneres Carignan – $19
• Murphy-Goode Cab Sauv – $20
• Wirra Wirra Church Block Cab Sauv – $20
• Chateau Robin Cotes De Castillion – $22
• Louis M. Martini Cab Sauv – $15-$20
• L’Oustal Blanc Minervois – $21
• Twenty Rows Cab Sauv – $23
• Oberon Cab Sauv – $24
• Molnar Family Pinot Noir – $26
• Douglas Green Shiraz Reserve – $20ish?
• Obsidian Ridge Cab Sauv – $29
• Patricia Green Pinot Noir – $30
• Hartford Zinfandel – $30
• Chateau Rollan de By Medoc – $30
• Louis Latour Domaine de Valmoissine Pinot Noir – $??
• Anne Amie Pinot Noir – $??

For $10 or less, you can’t beat the value on this Pinot Noir. And the taste measures up – stock up on Lucky Star as a new staple to keep on hand. Great for big family and friend gatherings — won’t kill your wallet, but your guests will appreciate the silky berry flavors!

Also – love the little blurb on the back.

STAR LIGHT, STAR BRIGHT, YOUR PINOT NOIR WISHES HAVE BEEN GRANTED. WITH RIPE RASPBERRY AROMAS LAYERED WITH NOTES OF RED CHERRY AND A SILKY FINISH, OUR WINE IS DAZZLING PAIRED WITH GRILLED MEATS, LIGHT PASTAS AND HEARTY SALADS. MAY OUR WINE SHINE BRIGHTLY AT YOUR TABLE AND BRING GOOD FORTUNE TO YOU AND THOSE WHO SHARE IT.

Unfortunately, the Lucky Star website is under construction. I really would love to learn more about this winery! I’ll keep checking back.

Origin: Sonoma County, California
Where: Highland Wine and Muss & Turner’s
Price: $9
Next time: Get a case!

*Disclaimer – link mania and celebrity chef gushing below!*

Another post with a long time coming, this Murphy-Goode Cab was thoroughly enjoyed with the Andersons (my future familiy-in-law!!) during our beach trip to Bald Head Island. After all of the big press and social media buzz around fellow Atlantan Hardy Wallace and his triumph in the Murphy-Goode – A Really Goode Job wine-lifestyle-blogger-job-from-heaven, I had more than a few reasons to try this wine -

1. Hardy is an amazing wine blogger (even before Murphy-Goode fame) – I’ve never met him in person, but I love the goofy photos and fun videos he does, and he’s buddies with Top Chef-ers Kevin Gillespie (Woodfire Grill’s chef/owner and THE bacon king) and Eli Kirshstein (of Eno)… seriously, how much fun can one guy have?! Whatever, I would love to hang out with all three of these dudes any day of the week!

2. The Murphy-Goode A Really Goode Job social media contest/innovation was really awesome

3. I was amazed to find this bottle at Publix!

4. I like their style – check it out:

Here at Murphy-Goode, we love making wine. Flat-out love it. we’ve won plenty of awards and plan to win a whole lot more. That said, we also love football. And family. And laughing ’til we can barely breathe. You see, the same passion we have for wine, we unabashedly bring to everything we do. We live every day as if it were the best day in our lives. And who’s to say it isn’t? Great wine, great family, great friends. That’s what Murphy-Goode is all about. So what do you say, are you in?

5. Best of all… the Murphy Goode Cab was Awesome :)

6. I can’t wait to try it again. And the other varieties. And maybe get to hang with Hardy… And Kevin… And Eli. Woohoo!

Origin: Alexander Valley, Sonoma County, California
Where: Publix
Cost: about $20
Next time: Get a case!

Angeline Pinot Noir

Origin: Sonoma and Mendocino Counties, California

Where: Smyrna WOB, $14.99 bottle

Label: Angeline Pinot Noir is sourced from vineyards located in the cooler regions of Sonoma and Mendocino Counties. Coastal influences prouce a classic velvety Pinot Noir with delicate aromas, balanced acidity and fresh, ripe berry flavors.

Mark West Pinot Noir

Origin: Sonoma County, California

Where: Smyrna WOB, $$11.99 bottle

This Mark West Pinot turned out to be a little gem! The price range was just right for me, and the taste exceeded expectations. Upon visiting their website, I’m even more in love! The theme of the site is Pinot for the People! Seriously… I love it! Pinots are often overpriced and not worth it but the good ones are my favorite grape and I love being able to easily find some economical bottles that taste delicious. Needless to say, the theme appeals to me on so many levels! I encourage you to go check out Derek Benham and Alex Cose and their Pinot for the People Revolution! Here’s a little snippet:

For too long we have waited for affordable Pinot. For too long we have endured Merlot. For too long we have simply been denied the choice. … We demand rich, fruit-inspired, easy-drinking wine worthy of the Thanksgiving table and affordable enough to serve with tonight’s pizza.

Their wine notes are also mouth-watering!

Brilliant and bright, the wine’s garnet color suggests its weighty characteristics. Heady aromas of black raspberry jam, cranberries, dried cherries and dried herbs intermingle with oak notes of nutmeg and a hint of smoke. Expansive and silky with cherry and raspberry suggestions, the wine lingers on the palate.

Next time: Get a glass!