After the heavy Cabs we had this weekend, Pris and I decided to go into the week with something a bit lighter. After going through both a different Syrah and a Beaujolais that were past their prime we settled on Cameron Hughes Lot 162 2007 Sonoma County Syrah.
This particular choice was also based on our dinner Monday night which was a whole roasted chicken (roasted with butter, garlic, and herbs), roasted potatoes, and a sauce made from the pan drippings. We didn't have a non-desert white wine chilled and ready, so we worked on finding a lighter red. Not to brag, but the chicken turned out great and it was really simple. While I was getting things ready in the kitchen, Pris selected the Lot 162 to accompany our dinner.
Once again Pris made a great choice. The Syrah had a great strong fruit nose with nice oaky underpinnings. It was well balanced in the mouth with good structure and a full, rich fruit flavor. Soft tannins completed the Syrah, and provided a mild finish. The lightness of Lot 162 was perfect with the richness of the roasted chicken and potatoes.
As the wine breathed it developed a sweeter quality than when it was first opened. This is likely due to the fact that while this wine is labeled as a Syrah, its really a blend. Lot 162 is made up of 91% Syrah and 9% Zinfandel. The Zinfandel is a slightly sweeter red grape, and the wine definitely exhibited this quality later on. Still, it was a great light wine for the Valley heat.
Unfortunately, Cameron Hughes has sold out of the Lot 162. So unless its at one of the Sams, Costco, or Safeway that carries their wines, it gone for good. However, you can still go to the Cameron Hughes website (www.chwines.com) and search for Lot 162 and they will recommend other lots that are similar.
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