Hourglass

My Place - Washington, DC
Tasted Wednesday, November 12, 2014 by isaacjamesbaker with 259 views

Introduction

I had a great time tasting through these wines, live tweeting and watching Jeff Smith and Tony Biagi talk about them via video stream. Per usual, the wines are fantastic, bold but fresh and dealing out lots of minerals and depth. All of these wines are very young and expressed themselves more on the second day.

Flight 1 (3 Notes)

  • 2012 Hourglass HG III 90 Points

    USA, California, Napa Valley

    Nose of blackberry and black currant, a hint of red berries mixed in, rich but nuanced with notes of graphite, coffee beans, loam and tobacco leaf, underlying sweet cocoa and vanilla. On the palate, the acid invites you in, the tannins provide structure and depth while the fruit is bright and juicy. Red and black cherries and currants, laced with cola, cedar and pencil shavings. Notes of loam, chestnut and cocoa powder. Lasting, cellar-worthy but approachable. The inaugural vintage of this Merlot, Cabernet and Malbec blend. For a second wine, this is very impressive stuff.

    Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No

  • 2012 Hourglass Cabernet Sauvignon Blueline 93 Points

    USA, California, Napa Valley

    Complex nose of cool blackberry and red and black currants and plums, the core of fruit is so seductive and vibrant. Notes of vanilla coffee, sweet cocoa powder, crushed granite and pencil shavings along with some floral elements that need time to come out. Juicy currants offering depth and power yet the acid offers refreshment. Juicy, chewy tannins, so delicious and inviting but clearly lasting. I love the accents of pencil shavings, chewing tobacco and graphite, black cherry and vanilla colas. Deeply mineral-driven, and I love the floral accents, anise, sweet lavender and hints of black olive. 91% Cabernet and 9% Petite Verdot aged 21 months in new French oak. In the past, the wine was 100% Cabernet Sauvignon, but Petite Verdot is playing a larger role. It’s pure Napa with its depth and smoothness, but the tanginess is really attractive. Decant for a long time or bury for three to six years, will hold for longer.

    Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No

  • 2012 Hourglass Cabernet Sauvignon Estate 94 Points

    USA, California, Napa Valley

    Nose shows a deep core of black and red currants and plums, some fruit skins and jam as well. Granite, cocoa powder, milk chocolate, some sweet oregano, green olive and pipe tobacco, so complex and lovely stuff on the nose and it opens up a ton with air. Deep and complex with fine-grained but sturdy tannins and medium+ acid. Flavors of black cherries and black currants with notes of red fruits mixed in, it’s zesty and juicy but showing lots of depth. More graphite and pencil shavings here, along with granite and river rocks. I also get some dark roast coffee, cedar, hints of dark chocolate and root beer. Deep, complex but finishes clean and long. All Cabernet aged 22 months in new French oak. Takes a while to fully express itself, so decant now or cellar for a handful of years.

    Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No

×
×