Hourglass Blueline Vineyard Merlot 2017
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Jeb
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James
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Robert
Parker
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Winemaker Notes
The subtle nuances of aromatics, flavor and texture give Blueline Merlot a uniquely wide breadth of food pairing options from Mediterranean to Asian fare.
Blend: 79% Merlot, 12% Cabernet Sauvignon, 9% Malbec
Professional Ratings
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Jeb Dunnuck
More black cherries, currants, tobacco leaf, and herbal notes emerge from the 2017 Merlot Blueline Estate, a ripe, sexy Merlot loaded with flavor. A blend of 79% Merlot, 11% Cabernet Sauvignon, 9% Malbec and the rest Cabernet Franc, aged 16 months in two-thirds new oak, drink it any time over the coming 10-15 years.
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James Suckling
This shows aromas of crushed black cherries, blueberries and walnuts. Medium-to full-bodied, chewy and creamy. Solid and stoic nature to this. 79% merlot, 12% cabernet sauvignon and 9% malbec. Drink or hold.
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
Made up of 79% Merlot, 12% Cabernet Sauvignon and 9% Malbec, the medium to deep garnet-purple colored 2017 Merlot Blueline Estate features notions of baked plums, fruitcake and sautéed herbs with hints of blueberry preserves, moss-covered bark and pencil shavings. Full-bodied, the palate is generously fruited with baked plums and spicy layers, supported by a light chew of tannins, finishing on an earthy note.
Other Vintages
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Hourglass wines represent a cutting-edge, modern Napa Valley winemaking style. Ned Smith bought the property in 1976 and his goal quickly shifted from fruit trees to his favorite wine, Zinfandel, with the lofty hope of supplying grapes to local wineries in exchange for finished wine. The land was eventually taken over by son Jeff Smith. In 1992, Jeff enlisted his family friend - and former rock band cohort - Bob Foley as winemaker for their new venture. Like so many aspiring guitarists, Bob had kept his day job over the years, making wine and garnering countless accolades and rock-star status for such labels as Robert Foley Vineyards, Switchback Ridge, Pride Mountain, School House and Paloma. Bob continues to make all the Hourglass wines and has the deep purple-stained hands to prove it. The calluses, however, are as much from guitar playing as his meticulous cellar work. Then, Hourglass's inaugural release came with the 1997 vintage, a seminal Napa vintage by many critics' standards.
With the christening of the winery at Blueline and its distinct single-varietal wines, Hourglass has entered an exciting new phase of its evolution. A brand synonymous with terroir-driven, modern Napa wines of the highest caliber, its goal is and will always remain the same: To capture the essence of two of Napa Valley's most expressive vineyard sites in bottled form, and to have the honor of sharing them with you and your families for decades to come.
As Napa Valley’s third most planted grape, Napa Valley Merlot shows time and time again its potential to produce exceptional results. Napa’s vaunted combination of climate, soil and the human factor of winemaking expertise lead to big, ripe, cellar-worthy and world-class versions.
Whether made by itself in single varietal bottlings or as an important role in Bordeaux Blends, Merlot continues a prominent role in this famous region. While Cabernet typically takes the lead role, Merlot’s contribution—even at 10% to 20% or so—is significant indeed. Often described as “the flesh on Cabernet’s bones,” Merlot lends a soft, round and plush character that beautifully complements Cabernet’s linear, full-throttle structure. Its flavors of plums plus subtle herbs and mint also dovetail nicely with Cabernet’s blackberry and cassis.