Hourglass Estate Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley 2019

Hourglass is named for the childhood home and vineyard of founder Jeff Smith on Lodi lane in St. Helena, which happens to be the shortest east/west crossroad between Highway 29 and the Silverado Trail; the pinch of the valley, connecting the Hourglass. Four acres originally planted to Zinfandel in 1977, the vines eventually succumbed to phylloxera and were replanted to Cabernet Sauvignon in 1992. The land was farmed meticulously producing small, delicious berries with great complexity thanks to the rocky soil type. After five years of maturation the vines were producing grapes of outstanding quality and the Smith’s started making wine with friend, fellow musician, and consulting winemaker Bob Foley. The 1997 Hourglass Estate Cabernet Sauvignon released to high acclaim after being thrust into a tasting lineup with the likes of Screaming Eagle, Harlan Estate, and Bryant Family.  

Crafted by the talented winemaker Tony Biagi, the 2019 Estate is 100% Cabernet Sauvignon aged for 22 months in 100% new French oak barrels. Aromatically, a complex weave of heady floral bands descend into blackberry bramble and cassis, with its tell-tale stripe of crushed stone and graphite providing precision and lift. Richly textured dark red and black fruits envelop the palate, with silky, sleek tannins carrying forward through the long, refined finish