93pts Jeb Dunnuck

Another beautiful wine as well as a smoking value, the 2021 Merlot Blueline Estate (75% Merlot, 19% Cabernet Sauvignon, and tiny amounts of Petit Verdot and Malbec) has lots of up-front plum and black cherry fruits supported by lead pencil, chocolate, and savory herb aromas and flavors. It's medium to full-bodied, has a ripe, supple mouthfeel, good mid-palate depth, and outstanding length.

92pts Vinous

The 2021 Merlot Blueline Estate is packed with super-ripe dark fruit, chocolate, dried herbs, lavender and licorice. Dollops of Cabernet Sauvignon and Petit Verdot add savory aromatics and a good bit of depth, too. This serious Merlot is beautifully done.

Winery Notes

Tony Biagi, the winemaker at Hourglass, is one of my favorite personalities in the valley. I met him years ago when he was the winemaker at Plumpjack. He is now handling both Hourglass estates, which is somewhat confusing to the consumer, in that there is actually a Blueline Estate that is a 20-acre vineyard across from the Three Palms Duckhorn Merlot Vineyard and not far from the Switchback Vineyards. The other, the Hourglass Estate, is a little more than a dozen acres situated near Colgin’s Tychson Hill Vineyard off Route 29 north of St. Helena. It is important to note in the reviews that follow whether they contain the Hourglass Estate or the Blueline Estate designations.