Readers looking for an introduction to the wines from this great estate should check out the 2018 HG III, which is always a more Merlot-dominated blend. The 2018 reveals a deep purple/ruby hue to go with a juicy, endearing, up-front style that carries lots of blackcurrant and black cherry fruits, hints of chocolate, spice, and dried herbs, medium to full body, and a plush, sexy, yet beautifully balanced profile. It's going to evolve for 15 years and is a rock-solid bottle of wine.

The 2018 HG III is a delicious entry-level wine from Hourglass. Juicy dark cherry, spice, leather and cedar all run through this racy, open-knit Merlot-based blend. It’s easy to look past the HG III here given the level of the other wines, but that's a mistake, as the 2018 is fabulous and a great value too. -- Antonio Galloni

The 2018 HG III is made from a blend of Merlot, Petite Sirah and Cabernet Sauvignon. Deep garnet-purple in color, it leaps from the glass with open-knit scents of plum preserves, stewed black cherries and boysenberries with hints of spice cake, cumin seed and aniseed. Medium-bodied, the palate is delicately played and refreshing, featuring loads of savory accents to the juicy black fruits, finishing softly textured and spicy.- LPB

Juicy and fine-textured, with concentrated cherry tart and plum pudding flavors that offer plenty of cooking spice accents, showing hints of dark chocolate and mocha on the finish. Merlot, Petite Sirah and Cabernet Sauvignon. Drink now through 2025. 6,000 cases made. — KM