Hourglass HG III Red Blend 2021 – 750ml Monsieur Touton

Winemaker Notes

The 2021 HGIII is the most complex and layered vintage to date. Explosive aromatics of blackberry, Bing cherry and pomegranate intertwine with savory layers of pink peppercorn, fennel and crushed rose petals. The palate presents rich tones of crème de cassis, black cherry and baker’s chocolate, which evolve into secondary characteristics of red currant, vanilla bean and pipe tobacco. A beautiful balance of precise natural acidity with a weighted yet broad, silky mouthfeel. 

Winery Notes

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.