From the Cellar

Hedges CMS 2002-2006 (Washington)

25 Jul 2014

 

(May 10, 2014) ...

Dear Hedges,

I have never been so pissed off in my life, and I have had my moments.  

I invited a few friends over to enjoy a vertical tasting of your wines, your CMS to be specific - one of my friends tried one once and hasn't shut up about it, so I wanted to really show off with my (pseudo) vertical: 2002-2006 (minus the '04).  But what the heck are you thinking sealing this beautiful blend: Cabernet, Merlot, Syrah (CMS) with a plastic cork; I was totally shocked and appalled by this finding.  And there was nary a mention of this type of closure on your front or back label - imagine my shock when I pull off the capsule on vintage after vintage to see the plastic beneath.  Now I did not write them off right away - I have traveled to NomaCorc headquarter in Raleigh, North Carolina and have been told to be more open-minded, and so I was.  But bottle after bottle turned out to be older and worse tasting than the next.  From overly dried and sour fruit to dirty dish rag, I have never been so disappointed in a wine in my life ... I guess I should blame myself, I thought you were making a quality, age-able wine, but instead, with the closure you chose, you were making a drink now wine masquerading as a quality, ageable wine - my bad perception, your bad closure - I guess it really is buyer beware.

Look, if your going to seal under plastic at least put that on the label somewhere to warn me and other consumers not to age it, then we'd avoid such massive disappointments.  The best of this bad lot was the 2006 which was cassis and pruney from the get go thought there were also hints of some sweet dried fruit, but within 15 minutes the whole thing smelled like wet mop and the fruit tires and dries out, basically the wine dropped off the table within a matter of minutes.  

If you insist on plastic at least warn me and others - this was not only a shock to the system but deters me from buying your product again ... This experience turned into a horrid, embarrassing mess.  End of story.

 

Get Our Newsletter

* indicates required

Follow Us on Social Media

Facebook Twitter Instagram YouTube