HG III Proprietary Red Blend 2023
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HG III Proprietary Red Blend 2023
The wine at a glance
The 2023 Hourglass HG III is a Napa Valley proprietary red blend led by Merlot and Petite Sirah. It combines 41% Merlot, 38% Petite Sirah, 6% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 15% other red grapes. The wine is 14.8% ABV, comes in a 750 mL cork-finished bottle, and spent 16 months in new and seasoned French oak according to Hourglass.
Aromas
Winemaker notes (via Wine.com): boysenberry, ripe berry preserves and stewed fig, lifted by geranium, fennel and licorice. Professional reviews additionally mention currant, cherry, herbs and black tea.
Palate
Winemaker notes (via Wine.com): concentrated dark-berry fruit, baker's chocolate and coconut macaroon, supported by lively youthful tannins. Independent critics highlight fresh berry flavors and refined structure.
Finish
Winemaker notes (via Wine.com): a polished, lingering finish shaped by a balance of rich fruit and oak influence. Critics also describe a fresh, dry finish with well-defined tannins.
Food pairings
Suggested pairings: herb-roasted lamb, grilled steak, mushroom risotto, or aged cheddar. These are editorial suggestions, not producer-stated pairings.
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About Hourglass Winery
Hourglass grew from a narrow, geologically distinctive vineyard in Napa Valley. Jeff Smith replanted the original Hourglass site to Cabernet Sauvignon in the early 1990s, and its inaugural 1997 wine drew attention for the character of the fruit and the ambitions of the young estate.
The winery later developed the Blueline Vineyard and broadened its portfolio, including its HG III proprietary red blend. Its story is rooted in the Smith family's commitment to exceptional sites, experimentation, and the influence of volcanic soils and local geography. The individual wines on this site will be described according to their exact vintages when confirmed.
Explore Hourglass Winery through red and white wines
Hourglass Winery is represented in both introductory M&V Wine Club bundles. Its 2023 HG III proprietary red blend shows the producer's approach to ripe Napa Valley reds, while its 2023 Sauvignon Blanc explores a different side of the estate. The profiles document distinct production methods, tasting notes and vintage-specific reviews. The Sauvignon Blanc's published blend percentages currently disagree between sources and are flagged for verification.
Find the related wine profiles: HG III Proprietary Red Blend 2023; Hourglass Sauvignon Blanc 2023. The Red Collection and White Collection provides an overview of the bottles and the in-store offer.
Return to the M&V Wine Club homepage for the full introductory selection. Individual wine details are identified as verified or pending where necessary, and retail availability is confirmed by Mash & Vine Market.
Winemaker tasting notes: 2023 Hourglass HG III
Aromas: The winemaker notes highlight lush boysenberry, cooked fig and ripe berry preserves. Lifted geranium florals, fennel and licorice introduce herbal and spicy complexity.
Palate: Concentrated dark-berry fruit meets baking-chocolate richness and a touch of toasted coconut sweetness. Lively, youthful tannins help keep the rich fruit focused.
Finish and texture: Aging in a mix of new and previously used barrels contributes structure, polish and a persistent finish without overshadowing the fruit.
These descriptions paraphrase the 2023 winemaker notes displayed by Wine.com; the independent critics’ tasting impressions and scores appear below.
Inside the 2023 HG III blend
Unlike a Cabernet-led red, HG III centers on Merlot and Petite Sirah. Together they account for 79% of this 2023 wine, supported by Cabernet Sauvignon and other red grapes.
| Grape variety | Percentage |
|---|---|
| Merlot | 41% |
| Petite Sirah | 38% |
| Cabernet Sauvignon | 6% |
| Other red varieties | 15% |
Production details: Napa Valley, California · 2023 vintage · 14.8% alcohol · 750 mL · cork closure. According to Hourglass, the wine spent 16 months in a combination of new and seasoned French oak.
2023 HG III wine critic scores
The 2023 release has earned notable reviews from major wine publications. The following are third-party critics’ ratings, not customer reviews of Mash & Vine Market.
| Publication | Score | Review date |
|---|---|---|
| Decanter | 94 / 100 | January 2026 |
| James Suckling | 94 / 100 | April 2026 |
| Wine Spectator | 94 / 100 | February 2026 |
| The Wine Palate | 93 / 100 | October 2025 |
| Jeb Dunnuck | 92 / 100 | December 2025 |
| Vinous | 91 / 100 | November 2025 |
What reviewers are tasting
Across multiple reviews, the 2023 HG III shows red currant, black cherry, blackberry and blueberry characteristics. Critics also find floral and savory accents—rose petal, herbs, black tea, earth and spice—alongside polished tannins and a fresh, dry finish. These are paraphrased third-party tasting impressions.
Editorial sources: Hourglass official 2023 wine information; Decanter’s 2023 wine profile; 2023 critical review compilation at JJ Buckley; Wine.com 2023 winemaker notes and professional ratings. The aging information follows the producer’s 16-month specification; some critics describe a different duration.
Discover HG III Proprietary Red Blend 2023 in the Red Collection
The Hourglass HG III 2023 profile includes a producer-sourced blend composition, independent critic scores and separately attributed winemaker tasting notes. Comparing this Merlot- and Petite Sirah-led blend with Cabernet Sauvignon bottles is one of the distinguishing features of Mash & Vine’s Red Wine Collection. Visit the winery profile to learn about Hourglass’s vineyard history and approach to Napa Valley wine.
Explore the Hourglass Winery history, browse all bottles in the M&V Red Wine Collection, or return to the Wine Club homepage. This is an in-store wine discovery resource; specific inventory and purchase terms should be confirmed with Mash & Vine.
Discover the collection in downtown Little Rock
These wine profiles support Mash & Vine Market’s curated, in-store collections. Availability, exact vintages, and future club details will be confirmed by the store.