B-21 Top Recommendation Read More
"It's medium to full-bodied, round, supple, and balanced, with some classic Napa richness and depth ..." - Jeb Dunnuck
We'll say it time and time again – finding any Napa red with a rock-solid score and premium pedigree under $40 is a search for a needle and a haystack, but with the 94-point 2023 HGIII blend from cult phenom Hourglass, we've got the needle in hand.
If you've ever looked at a map of Napa Valley, you'll see immediately where Hourglass got its name. The estate sits at the narrowest pinch where the hillsides are only a mile apart, the crux of the "hourglass" as its become known over the decades. Complementing this prized parcel, the Blueline vineyard in Calistoga was added to the estate in 2005 and planted to all five Bordeaux varietals. It's this site of ancient river gravel that forms the base of the proprietary 2023 HGIII blend, a "charming, sexy beauty" based on Merlot, crafted by winemaker Tony Biagi to be an immediately accessible, captivating expression that Napa fans can indulge in without hesitation.
The incredible 2023 growing season puts its stamp on the finished wine in an outstanding balance of plush fruit and structural vivacity, "expressive and detailed" to the utmost with varietal purity to spare. While the flagship Hourglass wines have become cult-caliber trophies over the years (with the price tags to match), the HGIII blend is a stunning and exceedingly rare value in today's Napa landscape that will thrill anyone's palate and budget. |