Hourglass uses most of their estate grown Malbec fruit as a blending grape in their principal Bordelaise cuvées. Here they’ve reversed the practice, issuing a varietally labeled Malbec balanced with a portion of Cabernet Sauvignon.
The wine is deep ruby violet color and fragrant of black plums and cassis. On the palate a note of Chinese five spice mingles with black bramble fruits and black cherries. Texturally it is ample, with solid alcohol and sueded tannins, but it’s also stained with a flare of red cherry acidity, which finishes the wine, lifting it.
Opulent now—which means, mostly, too young—but it has the framework of acid, tannin, and fruit to allow it to age five years or more. Pair it with slow-roasted pork shoulder, lamb, game, aged cheeses.
14.2% abv | $75 (sample) 100 cases made
