2018 Hourglass 36 Blueline Estate

The 2018 Blueline Estate 36, which was previously released as the 36-24-36, is based on 86% Cabernet Sauvignon and 14% Petit Verdot brought up in plenty of expensive new oak. A big, inky color is followed by rich blueberry and cassis fruits intermixed with incredible white flower, graphite, scorched earth, licorice, and lead pencil-like aromas and flavors. Rich, full-bodied, and concentrated, it's nevertheless seamless and weightless on the palate, with not a hard edge to be found, ultra-fine tannins, and just overall flawless balance. It's the finest vintage of this cuvée produced, surpassing even the 2015 and 2016, both magical wines.

The 2018 Red Wine 36-24-36 Blueline Estate is a selection of the best parcels of See Clone Cabernet, along with a dollop of co-fermented Petit Verdot. A wine of gravitas and power, the 36 shows off its vertical intensity effortlessly. Inky dark fruit, chocolate, licorice, menthol and dark spice infuse the 2018 with so much character. The 100% new oak is barely perceptible. Instead, what stands out is the wine's dramatic, rapturous beauty.

Still aging in 85% new French oak, the 2018 Blueline Estate 36 is cut from the same cloth and has a deep, inky hue as well as pure crème de cassis fruit, notes of tobacco, crushed rocks, and graphite, full body, and a building sense of minerality on the finish. It’s a structured, concentrated 2018 that’s going to benefit from short-term cellaring yet evolve for 20-25 years.