2014 Hourglass Blueline Estate Malbec

Hourglass is a Napa Valley winery with vineyards in St. Helena and Calistoga. It is owned and operated by Jeff Smith and his wife Carolyn. The Hourglass debut release was in 1997. With additional investors they purchased more property in 2006 and built a state-of-the-art winery. Bob Foley was the winemaker from 1997 through 2010. In 2012 Tony Biagi took over as winemaker. Biagi also is winemaker for the company’s Blueline Vineyard in Calistoga. Biagi is also winemaker for The PlumpJack Group, owner of several wineries. Hourglass grows Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Petit Verdot and Malbec. The estate’s flagship wine is Cabernet Sauvignon. Robert M. Parker Jr. has written that the Hourglass wines are “frequently brilliant.” Hourglass makes a second label called HG III.

Calistoga AVA is one of Napa Valley’s newer appellations, having been given appellation status in 2010. It is notable for its volcanic soil, which is unusual in the Napa Valley. Calistoga also experiences the greatest average 24-hour temperature swing of any Napa Valley AVAs, which Calistoga grape growers insist give the grapes time to “cool down” at night, making for better balanced wines. The 1,500 Calistoga vineyard acres are planted to Cabernet Sauvignon, Zinfandel, Syrah and Petite Sirah, along with smaller amounts of other varietals. Calistoga is at the northern end of Napa Valley, northwest of the Diamond District and St. Helena AVAs. Longtime winemaker Bo Barrett of Chateau Montelena, which is located in the Calistoga AVA, proposed the creation of the appellation.

This grape produces a dark red wine with plenty of tannins. It is one of the six grapes allowed for blending red Bordeaux wines. Malbec is also the flagship variety of Argentina. The grape needs a lot of sun and heat to mature. It adds complexity and intensity to blends.