No mas.
The latest indication Cameron Hughes' growing pains arrived in inboxes yesterday - the pimping a new Napa Cabernet:
"This is a single vineyard wine from St. Helena. The NDA is a mile long, and we're sworn to secrecy. That said, we're happy to go along with the program because they regularly produce wines from $75/bottle to well over $100."The air of exclusivity and hushed, super-precious tones are de rigueur for CH. But here's what's changed the most:
Oh yeah, and it's only $29? Huh? Used to be these wines occupied the <$20 sweet spot. WTF? A quick glance at their online store reveals that all of their lot series Cabernets are all $25 an up.
But hold on a second, isn't this new release a relative bargain? Doesn't it normally sell for $75-100? No. You've got to read the fine print. Besides, $75 is about average for Napa Cabernets anymore - and not for anything particularly special. Even if it was a re-labeled $75 wine, a 60% discount almost brings the QPR (Quality-to-Price Ratio) into the realm of reasonable. Almost.
This is hardly an isolated example, either. In the last year or so, Cameron's forays into European wines have run the gamut - from Cotes du Rhones on the low end (which the local super market can't seem to move no matter how low they price it) to spendy Burgundies, Brunellos ($39), Barolos ($29) and others. How successful has this been? Don't know, but the compelling product he brought to market a few years ago is nowhere to be found today.
So, has this negociant gotten too big for its britches? Perhaps. Probably, even. But one thing's for certain - as his prices have not-so-subtly crept up, Cameron Hughes has positioned himself to compete in an increasingly difficult price market. And in the meantime, other negociant models such as Mark West, Castle Rock, and others are upping their game while keeping prices low. So, am I still buying Cameron Hughes wines? Not really.
Interesting. I just bought a case a little over a month ago and got a couple of chardonnays and cabernets that are good... and average per bottle was still pretty low (there was a sale)
ReplyDeleteNice score! So, would you pony up $25 (or $29) for another Cab?
ReplyDeleteGood to know someone else had the same reaction to that email...SB
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