2023 Hourglass Sauvignon Blanc Napa Valley
From the glass, fragrances of candied lime peel, mango, lemon curd, pomelo, and lemongrass prevail. Subtle nuances of fresh baked croissant, orange marmalade, honey, and nutmeg linger. Bright citrus flavors dominate the palate, balancing vibrancy with textural richness. The clean finish is marked by hints of wet-stone minerality.
In 1976, Ned Smith purchased a small, four-acre parcel atop a knoll two miles north of St. Helena between Highway 29 and the Silverado Trail in Napa Valley (not far from Grace Family Vineyard) and planted Zinfandel, hoping to trade his grapes for wine from local vintners. Little did he know that his hobby vineyard was in a sweet spot for Cabernet Sauvignon, something his son Jeff discovered after his father passed away in 1990. Hourglass takes its name from its position at the “pinch” of Napa Valley’s unique hourglass shape. It draws cooling breezes from the south and west, allowing perfect ripeness from year to year. Hourglass’ critical acclaim keeps snowballing – and we were lucky enough to have gotten in on the ground floor. They also own “Blueline” vineyard, a spectacular site not far from Duckhorn’s 3 Palms Vineyard near Calistoga.