2023 Hourglass "Blueline Estate" Merlot, Napa Valley, California, USA

ABOUT THIS WINE

The 2023 Hourglass Blueline Estate Merlot is sourced from the estate's Blueline Vineyard in Calistoga, where volcanic soils and the vineyard's distinctive blue shale subsoil naturally limit vine vigor and produce fruit of exceptional concentration and character. Crafted primarily from Merlot with a small amount of Cabernet Sauvignon, each block is hand-harvested, sorted, and fermented separately before the final blend is assembled. The wine is aged for approximately 20 months in predominantly new French oak barrels.

ABOUT THIS PRODUCER

Founded in 1992 by Jeff Smith and now led by Jeff and his wife, Carolyn, Hourglass farms two exceptional estate vineyards in Calistoga: the original Hourglass Estate and the Blueline Estate, where volcanic soils, gravel, and fractured shale naturally produce low yields of intensely concentrated fruit. Under the direction of acclaimed winemaker Tony Biagi, Hourglass has refined a style that emphasizes vineyard expression over excess. Biagi, whose résumé includes PlumpJack, Cade, and a number of Napa Valley's most sought-after Cabernet programs, is known for crafting wines that marry power with freshness, structure, and remarkable finesse. His thoughtful, hands-on approach in both the vineyard and cellar allows each site to speak clearly while preserving balance and age-worthiness.