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"As a Napa Valley winemaker since 1977, I thoroughly enjoy working with some of the finest grapes in the world. Mountainous well-drained soils and the exposures of high elevations combine to concentrate aroma and flavor, as well as color and density, in wine grapes. This results in some of the most expressive wines imaginable. Traditional techniques and hands-on care, serve to elevate the remarkable character of our wines, so that we may offer you a most rewarding wine experience." Bob Foley
"The 2005 vintage produced some beautifully extracted red wine wines with superb balance. This vintage of Claret is a blend of 90% Cabernet Sauvignon and 10% Merlot, opaque and ripe as can be. Aromas of super ripe black cherries introduce this big broad Cabernet and there are plenty of youthful chewy tannins to guarantee long graceful aging potential."
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Robert Foley Claret 2005
The prodigious 2005 Claret possesses a dense purple color in addition to beautiful aromas of creme de cassis, smoke, graphite, and cedar. Full-bodied, opulent, and voluptuously-textured with superb depth and purity in addition to a savory mouthfeel, and a surprisingly fleshy, forward personality, it should last for 10-15 years, but who will be able to resist it for that long?
Wine Advocate: 94
Regular Price: $149.99Sale Price: $119.99
Bottle Size: 750 ml
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HOURGLASS VINEYARD
The Smith family bought the six acre parcel that eventually became Hourglass in 1976. With no great aspirations to be in the wine business, Ned Smith planted four acres to his favorite wine grape, Zinfandel, with the hope of being able to trade grapes for finished wine. The vineyard fed several local Zinfandel blends until the early '90s when the vineyard was ravaged by phylloxera.
With the vines needing to be replanted, Ned's son Jeff took over the management of the vineyard. Through a mutual friend, Kelly Maher, he persuaded Dr. Mark Kliewer (Dean of the viticulture program at UC Davis and one of the world's premier specialists in grape growing climates), to provide a site evaluation. After his analysis, Dr. Kliewer concluded that this location could become one of the premier Cabernet sites in Napa County. He explained that Napa Valley is generally shaped like an hourglass, and the hillside site defined the "pinch," or narrowest point of the Valley. Its unique location would provide an unusual growing climate. Of course, there could be no other name for this special place than Hourglass.
Based on Dr. Kliewer's recommendations the Hourglass vineyard was replanted to Cabernet in 1992. Jeff then enlisted the help of family friend (and fellow rock band mate) Bob Foley, to craft the wines. (Yes, among many other talents, Bob is also a rockin' guitar player!) Bob has provided his deft hand to the project since its first vintage in 1997, adding Hourglass to his stable of exceptional wines. Click on Links for related websites.
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Hourglass Cabernet Sauvignon Blanc Napavalley 2005
"Well-known winemaker Bob Foley is the force behind the wines of Hourglass. This tiny vineyard of around five acres is located just north of St. Helena on a gradually sloping hillside somewhat reminiscent of Colgin’s Tychson Hill Vineyard or Vineyard 29, both nearby neighbors. These hillsides are essentially the lower foothills of the Mayacamas Mountains and are largely volcanic rock and loamy soil called “hambright.” The 2005 is a beautiful wine, and another strong effort. Deep ruby/purple-colored with a beautifully pure nose of creme de cassis, spring flowers, subtle wood, and hints of graphite and cedar, the wine is rich, full-bodied, with sweet tannin, good acidity, and a long, long finish. It is still very youthful, but with 2-3 years of cellaring, this wine has the potential to jump a few points in score and will no doubt last for two decades."
Wine Advocate: 93
Regular Price: $199.99Sale Price: $144.99
Bottle Size: 750 ml
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