2021 Hourglass Blueline Estate Merlot | Calistoga, Napa Valley California 750ml

A powerhouse vintage, the 2021 Blueline Estate Merlot is intense, dark and brooding. Aromas of ripe dark plum and red cherry intertwine with savory notes of black olive tapenade, hoisin, mandarin orange peel and leafy herbs. The fruit deepens and intensifies through the mid-palate, finishing with darker notes of black sour cherry and creme de cassis. Seamless from start to finish, the expansive, weighted, and rich texture counters with natural acidity, supple tannins, and Blueline's vibrant minerality. | Hourglass

Including 18% Cabernet Sauvignon, 6% Petit Verdot, and 2% Malbec, the 2021 Merlot Blueline Estate has a plush, rounded, supple, even decadent style that offers classic ripe black cherry and currant fruits, good mid-palate density, ripe tannins, and some background chocolatey oak and tobacco. It's beautifully done and will offer pleasure right out of the gate. | 93-95 points, Jeb Dunnuck for jebdunnuck.com