Hourglass HG III Proprietary Red Blend

Hourglass HG III Proprietary Red Blend is a Merlot-dominant Napa Valley red blend at 14.8% ABV in a 750ml bottle. The 2022 vintage earned 91 points from Vinous and 90 points from Jeb Dunnuck, underscoring the wine’s consistent critical recognition as a serious Napa red at an accessible tier within the Hourglass portfolio.

Quick Facts: ABV: 14.8% | Origin: Napa Valley, California | Blend: 75% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Petite Sirah | Producer: Hourglass

Production & Heritage

Hourglass is a respected Napa Valley estate known for its Blueline Vineyard holdings and precision winemaking. HG III functions as the estate’s proprietary red blend second label, drawing from select lots of the Blueline Estate alongside carefully sourced Napa Valley fruit. Winemaker Tony Biagi a veteran of Duckhorn, Paraduxx, PlumpJack, and Cade (where he served as founding winemaker) oversees the blend, which is aged 18 to 20 months in a combination of new and seasoned French oak barrels. The 75/20/5 split of Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Petite Sirah delivers a wine that balances plush, fruit-forward generosity with underlying structure and depth.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: The nose opens with explosive black currant and blackberry aromas layered over bing cherry and pomegranate. Secondary notes of pink peppercorn, fennel, dried herbs, and crushed rose petals add a savory, floral dimension that evolves with time in the glass.

Taste: The entry is ripe and juicy, with dark sour cherry and crme de cassis coating the palate. At the mid-palate, inky black fruit integrates with streaks of dark Belgian chocolate, vanilla bean, and baker’s chocolate. A subtle thread of red currant and pipe tobacco emerges as the wine builds toward a rich yet balanced peak, supported by fine-grained French oak tannins.

Finish: The finish is medium-long and polished, with lingering notes of cassis, cocoa, and a whisper of licorice. The Petite Sirah component contributes a firm tannic backbone that keeps the finish grounded and structured.

How to Drink HG III

HG III shows its full range of aromatics and flavor at cellar temperature, around 6065F, with no decanting required on younger vintages but rewarding 30 minutes of air on releases with a few years of bottle age. This is primarily a wine for the table, but it also stands confidently on its own.

Food Pairings

The Merlot-led blend’s plush dark fruit and chocolate character pairs naturally with rich, savory dishes. Braised short ribs match the wine’s weight and depth. Herb-crusted rack of lamb echoes the fennel and dried herb notes in the wine’s aromatics. Hard aged cheeses like Gruyre or Comt complement the toasty French oak influence, while mushroom risotto bridges the wine’s earthy and savory undertones.

Best For

• A weeknight upgrade for Napa Valley red blend enthusiasts seeking estate-level quality
• Pairing with a multi-course dinner featuring red meat or hearty stews
• Gifting to a wine lover who appreciates Merlot-driven blends with complexity
• Cellaring for 35 years to explore how the blend’s secondary characteristics develop

Frequently Asked Questions

What does HG III taste like? HG III delivers ripe black cherry, crme de cassis, and dark chocolate on the palate, supported by savory undercurrents of fennel, pipe tobacco, and vanilla bean from French oak aging.

How does HG III compare to Duckhorn Napa Valley Merlot? Both are Merlot-forward Napa Valley wines, and Hourglass winemaker Tony Biagi is a Duckhorn alumnus, but HG III distinguishes itself with the addition of Petite Sirah for extra structure and a more concentrated, layered profile. Duckhorn’s Merlot tends toward a softer, more approachable style at a similar price tier.

Is HG III good for sipping on its own? HG III has enough complexity and balance to drink comfortably on its own, particularly when served at cellar temperature and given a few minutes to open up in the glass.

Where is HG III made? HG III is produced by Hourglass in Napa Valley, California, using fruit from the estate’s Blueline Vineyard and select sourced Napa Valley vineyards.

What foods pair well with HG III? Braised short ribs complement the wine’s richness. Herb-crusted lamb mirrors its savory aromatics. Mushroom risotto plays to its earthy character. Gruyre or aged Comt echo the toasty oak. Dark chocolate desserts extend the cocoa notes on the finish.

What sizes does HG III come in? HG III is available in the standard 750ml bottle.

Is HG III worth the price? HG III positions as a premium second label within the Hourglass portfolio, offering estate-sourced Napa Valley quality at a more accessible entry point than the winery’s flagship wines a strong value proposition reinforced by consistent 90+ point critical scores.

Why HG III?

HG III exists in a sweet spot that few Napa Valley red blends occupy: estate-level seriousness without the flagship price. The wine benefits directly from Tony Biagi’s deep experience across some of Napa’s most respected houses, and its blend of Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Petite Sirah creates a layered, texturally rich wine that over-delivers for its tier. Consistent 90+ point scores from both Vinous and Jeb Dunnuck confirm that this is not a throwaway second label but a thoughtfully constructed wine in its own right. For drinkers who value Merlot-led complexity grounded in real Napa Valley terroir, HG III is a compelling bottle to keep in regular rotation.