Hourglass’s 2024 Estate Sauvignon Blanc is a Calistoga-designated Napa Valley white blend anchored by Sauvignon Blanc with a supporting dose of Semillon. The winery’s technical details put it at 91% Sauvignon Blanc and 9% Semillon, drawn from a mix of sites including Hourglass Estate, Larkmead Lane, Varozza, and Gamble Ranch. Elevage combines 40% stainless steel with 45% seasoned oak and 15% new French oak, with lees stirring intended to build texture and mid-palate breadth.

In the glass, the house style reads as bright but not austere. Hourglass’s own notes emphasize citrus and floral lift—lemon and orange blossom—alongside greener citrus tones such as lime leaf and pomelo, plus a “wet stone” mineral note and a finish framed by “natural acidity.” The partial barrel program and lees work are designed to keep that acidity while adding a rounder, more layered mouthfeel.

The critical reception is notably strong. James Suckling delivers an excellent 94-point review, calling the wine “divine and mineral-driven,” with “sliced lemons, white pepper, lime leaves and jalapenos,” and a “taut, focused palate with bright acidity.” Jeb Dunnuck also rates it an excellent 94 points, highlighting a “bright, fresh, focused, pure mouthfeel” and “outstanding length.” (Dunnuck’s write-up lists a different blend—86% Sauvignon Blanc/Musqué and 14% Semillon, from Napa and Sonoma—so the winery’s 91/9 Calistoga blend should be treated as the definitive composition.)

Vinous is a touch more restrained at 90 points, describing an “airy, gracious, aperitif-style white” marked by citrus peel and savory herbal nuances like sage, tomato leaf, and mint, with a recommended drinking window of 2025–2029.

Overall, this is a polished, aromatic Sauvignon Blanc that pairs crisp citrus and mineral drive with measured oak and lees-derived texture, and it is backed by two standout 94-point endorsements.