Hourglass Blueline Estate Napa Valley 2014 Merlot, $61.19-$71.99, 93 points, poured black throughout save for a narrow edge of burgundy purple/red adjacent to the broad clear wine ring and glass wall of heavy sheeting.
Aromatic rich cedar-y potpourri accented with warm earth and red currant jam were excellent.
Full-bodied with good acidity and grainy layered tannins ushered the complex flavors of damson plum, dried herbs, chocolate, and a fruitful bounty into a long finish of cayenne and white pepper inspirited by the big 15.2% alcohol.
Paired perfectly with our Fileja pasta with a rich beef tomato sauce and toasted Italian garlic bread.
I keep looking for the Merlots that rival great Cabs; Hourglass gets close, though not quite as close as two of my favorite Saint Emilion Bordeaux wines (Château La Dominique Saint Emilion 2009 Bordeaux, Château Magrez Fombrauge Saint-Émilion Grand Cru 2009 Bordeaux). The one exception of greatness was the Pomerol Bordeaux Château Gazin Pomerol 2010 Red Bordeaux.
Index-of-reviewed-wines
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Pa-lease, no comments about Chateau Petrus of Pomerol ($2,000+) are necessary!
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