{"product_id":"hourglass-blueline-estate-cabernet-franc-2023-napa-valley-california-xx","title":"Hourglass \"Blueline Estate\" Cabernet Franc 2023 (Napa Valley, California) -  [DM 96] [JS 96] [WA 95-97] [JD 94] [VM 94] [WS 92]","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAbout the Winery:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eHourglass is a family-owned boutique estate in Napa Valley founded by Jeff Smith on property purchased by Jeff’s father in 1976. Their first vintage was 1997 with Bob Foley, a family friend and maker of Pride Mountain, Switchback Ridge, and Paloma, serving as winemaker. Foley was followed by Tony Biagi, of PlumpJack and Cade fame.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003eHourglass vineyard lies in the St. Helena AVA, rising from the valley floor to a 70-foot knoll top. There is a unique microclimate here, characterized by cooling breezes, which increase diurnal temperature swings, due to the hourglass-like shape of the valley with the vineyard located at the precise point where the hourglass comes to a pinch and hence its name.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003eIn 2006, Jeff purchased a second, twenty-acre vineyard located near Duckhorn’s Three Palms Vineyard in Calistoga. He called this parcel Blueline Vineyard in reference to two “blue-line” streams that border the property—what remains of a much larger riverbed where the vineyard is now. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAbout this Wine:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eA blend of 90% Cabernet Franc and 10% Cabernet Sauvignon, aged 20 months in 75% new French oak and 15% seasoned oak. The wine's hallmark characteristics are driven by the minerality the vineyard elicits - bright floral aromatics with tension and brightness to counterbalance its concentration and richness.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTasting Notes:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003eThe 2023 vintage of Blueline Estate Cabernet Franc is a striking expression of energy and depth, shaped by a long, cool growing season that preserviced its vibrancy and precision. Aromatically, the wine is layered with an intricate blend of red, blue and black fruits, lifted by a flinty, gunpowder-like minerality and a subtle floral kick. The palate is youthful yet refined, showcasing a seamless interplay of fruit purity, crushed rock texture and supple tannins. Blueline's signature gravelly soils lend additional tension and focus, amplifying the wine's mineral core and extending its finish. This is a Cabernet Franc built on vibrancy and finesse, destined to develop further complexity with age.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: bold;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: bold;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: bold;\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eRatings \u0026amp; Reviews\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e96 Points - Decanter Magazine: \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e“This red is composed of 90% Cabernet Franc from vines planted in 1991, blended with 10% Cabernet Sauvignon from the Blueline Vineyard, where soils are a mix of volcanic ash and Cortina series cobblestones and gravel. Winemaker Adrien Halpin has been making the wine since 2019, with Tony Biagi continuing in a consulting role after becoming a partner that same year. The nose is especially compelling, offering fragrant cassis and black cherry fruit, layered with sagebrush and tobacco. Polished and suave, the wine delivers full-bodied richness framed by velvety tannins. Those beautifully integrated tannins are energised by a spine of juicy acidity, giving the wine a bright, fresh, and vibrant profile that will particularly appeal to Cabernet Franc lovers drawn to the variety’s inherent freshness.” – Jonathan Cristaldi (Jan 2026)\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e96 Points - James Suckling: \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e“A pure expression of cabernet franc with aromas of black currants, berries, herbs, river stones, black olives and spices. The palate is full-bodied with fine tannins and bright acidity that lead to a tightly wound, minerally and refined finish. Nicely constructed. Drink or hold.” (Apr 2026)\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e95-97 Points - Wne Advocate: \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e“Offering up faint herbal nuances and hints of tobacco leaf, the 2023 Cabernet Franc Blueline Estate folds in expressive notes of black cherries and raspberries. It's medium- to full-bodied, nicely smooth and structured, with excellent length and dusty tannins on the lingering finish. The prospective blend I was shown was 88% Cabernet Franc and 12% Cabernet Sauvignon. Balanced and complex, it should drink well for at least two decades.” – Joe Czerwinski (Jun 2025)\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e94 Points - Jeb Dunnuck: \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e“Based on 90% Cabernet Franc and 10% Cabernet Sauvignon and aged 20 months in 65% new French oak, the 2023 Cabernet Franc Blueline Estate is a beautiful wine offering pure red, blue, and black fruits intermixed with flowers, graphite, and violet notes. It's medium to full-bodied and has a pure, layered, elegant mouthfeel, ripe and polished tannins, and a great finish. I love its balance, purity, and complexity. There are roughly 267 cases produced. Drink 2025-2040.” (Dec 2025)\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e94 Points - Vinous Media: \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e“The 2023 Cabernet Franc Blueline Estate is just as impressive as it was last year. The aromatics are quite attractive, but there is also plenty of structure and a deep core of fruit, likely from the 10% Cabernet Sauvignon in the blend. Crushed flowers, herbs, spice, menthol and coffee confer notable energy. There's a ton of character here.” – Antonio Galloni (Nov 2025)\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e92 Points - Wine Spectator: \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e“Warm cassis, plum sauce and melted licorice notes are liberally infused with tobacco leaf and loam as this moves through the frankly toasty and hefty finish. Offers more oomph than purity but is solid. For fans of the style. Drink now through 2036. 200 cases made.” – JM (Sep 2026)\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"SWIRL WINE BROKERS","offers":[{"title":"750 ml","offer_id":53843616989549,"sku":null,"price":159.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0481\/8940\/7391\/files\/bluefranc.png?v=1788270387","url":"https:\/\/artisan.wine\/products\/hourglass-blueline-estate-cabernet-franc-2023-napa-valley-california-xx","provider":"Artisan W\u0026S","version":"1.0","type":"link"}