January 31, 2023 - Two hour decant. Very deep dark vibrant magenta color. Blackberry, fig jam, ginger snap, violet, nutmeg, and subtle dried thyme. Very smooth, dry, full bodied palate, with fine, tongue coating acidity. Full, plush tannins on the long finish.
Slowly working my way through an Hourglass Estate CS vertical I overpaid for. The ‘16 is amazing and the ‘14 was a letdown. This ‘15 is more toward amazing. Likely drinking very near its peak for my palate (and my wife would have scored it even higher).
December 11, 2022 - Exceptional, smooth finish, layered flavor; met everyone's expectations
November 19, 2022 - Just a really, really, really big wine. Tastes like an over ripe right bank bordeaux. Boy, did I overpay for these.
April 16, 2021 - Big wine
April 3, 2021 - Good I guess, not great., in fact, not even very good. Was expecting so much more. This is not a $200 Napa cab, in fact it is not even a $50 Napa Cab. We finished the bottle, but were 100% not impressed. Taste at decant was awful. Allowed 2 hours and it developed a bit, but not what you'd expect from a Cali Napa Cab at our price point of $89. There was a sweet note, but nose was lacking. Fruit was lacking. Finish was next to nothing. Color us underwhelmed. Unfortunately we still have another bottle which is likely to be gifted. There are much better Cabs at $30-$50. Complexity was non-existent. Flavor was "meh". No finish, so an 85 is generous.
February 20, 2021 - This wine is exceptionally magnificent with a four hour decant. The nose is highly involved with dark fruits and a unique aroma. There is so much complexity in this Hourglass it is better than 100 point WA wines. Great attack, mid, and a finish is lasting more than 60 seconds. They can take a bow.
June 7, 2020 - Wait to see if this develops.
June 6, 2019 - Loads of blackberry, touch of burnt earth, big, voluminous nose; all black fruit, but a lot of acid on the backbone. This has the structure for sure - should have read CSimms note before pulling this bottle - I agree completely that this needs a bit of time, but should be most excellent; give it a really long decant if you are opening now, because even an hour in the glass this blossomed nicely; oak/spice present but non-obtrusive; 95+
June 22, 2018 - Hourglass: Blackberry, black cherry, black raspberry, black and red currant, tobacco leaf, and some spice. Less overtly modern and ripe than the Blueline, with a bit more focus and frame. Solid acid, especially on the back end. Could use another couple of years to really find its glide. A lot of potential here. 94-95+ points.
My second favorite wine of the tasting lineup (the 2016 36-24-36 was my #1). Hold this ‘15 Estate until after 2020+.