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2011 Hourglass Estate Cabernet Sauvignon

Winemaker

Bob Foley

Vintners

Jeff and Carolyn Smith

Partners

The Chilton and Clark Families

Vineyard Designation

Hourglass Estate

Soil Series

Hambright and Fractured Bedrock

Appellation

St. Helena, Napa Valley

Varietals

100% Cabernet Sauvignon

Barrel Program

Aged 20 months in 50% new French oak

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Current Vintage Overview

The 2011 vintage was cool by Napa standards with average daytime high temperatures hovering in the low 80s. In many respects it was similar to 2010 with the exception of early October rains that created unusual concentrations of Tule fog in many areas of Napa Valley. Fog became a determining factor for many valley floor vineyards with the threat of botrytis mold dictating picking decisions and/or overall yields.

The Hourglass Estate vineyard, residing at the center of the St. Helena appellation where the Mayacamas and Vaca mountain ranges constrict, produces a thermal dynamic. The resulting increased airflow kept the fog accumulation to an absolute minimum. As a result, we were able to achieve ideal ripeness while the vintage’s cooler days helped retain natural acidity resulting in a more classically structured wine.

Tasting Profile

Despite the cooler overall vintage, the Hourglass Estate Cabernet achieved good levels of phenolic and tannin ripeness, resulting in pure fruit extraction, supple textures, and exotic aromas. The hallmark aromatics of mint, camphor, and black licorice are all present as are the woody elements of cedar and sandalwood. A tightly knitted center core of dark red and black fruit flavors balances on a lift of tangy acidity. While this 2011 displays grace and finesse over power, there is enough richness and pure fruit to supply compelling mouth feel and a lingering finish.

Cellaring Potential

Tracking similarly cool vintages like 1998, 2000 and 2005 leads us to believe the aromatics and classic structure of this 2011 vintage, combined with good acidity and medium-plus body, will yield greater elegance, exotic aromas and flavors as it ages. Seven to eight years from the vintage date is when we expect to see the tertiary compounds—leather, tobacco and cigar box—come together for added complexity, making this vintage a good candidate for cellaring of 15+ years.

~ Jeff Smith, January 2016

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