Outpost
Napa Valley (California)
 http://www.outpostwines.com/

The Estate
Situated high atop Howell Mountain, 2,200 feet above the floor of the Napa Valley, it's easy to see the inspiration, and natural wonder that is the essence of Outpost Wines.
Outpost was established in 1998 with the mission of producing wines that are a living, breathing embodiment of this piece of extraordinary land.  The unique confluence of environmental factors at the Outpost vineyards - the volcanic, rocky red soil, high altitude, gentle cooling breezes and sunny western exposure - produces fruit of incredible complexity and richness, with a distinct mountain palette you simply can't find anywhere else.

Capturing the essence of the land's rugged terrain, Outpost creates world-class Zinfandel, Grenache, Cabernet Sauvignon and Petite Sirah from our own hand-cultivated, organically farmed 42 acre estate vineyards. The guiding principle of our wine-making program is to realize the full potential of this piece of ground, to create a living history of vintages with immense character and a true sense of place.

Sharing this philosophy and intrigued by the potential of the estate's magnificent vineyards, winemaker Thomas Rivers Brown has crafted the wines from the beginning.

Under winemaker Thomas Rivers Brown's expert guidance, Outpost grapes are harvested late in the season - by hand, at dawn - to preserve the full intensity and distinctive spicy character of the mountain fruit. The grapes are processed with as little manipulation as possible. Grapes from each block within the vineyard are fermented separately so that the winemaking team can be very selective about the lots that comprise the final blend. Wines are neither fined nor filtered allowing for the full expression of the vintages' potential.


Frank Dotzler, the owner


The Wines
























 UPC code: 7 84585 01238 1
2008 Outpost, Howell Mountain, Cabernet Sauvignon 12/750ml
 100% Cabernet Sauvignon, estate grown.
 Aged in French oak barrels.
"Dark and brooding with a lush mid palate and long, juicy finish, this wine is somewhat atypical for Howell Mountain in its accessibility but all the proper taste character comes through on the flavor profile:  blackberries, blueberries, a touch of white pepper, camphor and black currants." - the winemaker

 - Wine Spectator (Insider, Dec. 28th 2011), 93 pts

 UPC code: 7 84585 01238 1
2007 Outpost, Howell Mountain, Cabernet Sauvignon 12/750ml
 100% Cabernet Sauvignon, estate grown.
 Aged in French oak barrels.
"Dark and brooding with a lush mid palate and long, juicy finish, this wine is somewhat atypical for Howell Mountain in its accessibility but all the proper taste character comes through on the flavor profile:  blackberries, blueberries, a touch of white pepper, camphor and black currants." - the winemaker

"The 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon is their finest regular offering to date. This 100% Cabernet Sauvignon possesses a dense, full-bodied personality, an inky/purple color, plenty of graphite, subtle toast, blueberry and blackberry fruit, striking minerality, a layered texture (something Thomas Brown seems to get in all of his wines), and a long finish. It is the kind of Cabernet Sauvignon that seems to pass the torch of quality and greatness from the old boys who started here, but have now been dramatically surpassed in quality by newcomers such as Outpost and nearby neighbor O’Shaughnessy, to name a few."
 - Wine Advocate (Dec. 2009), 95+ pts

 #C0EE901002CSL
UPC code: 7 84585 01238 1
2006 Outpost, Howell Mountain, Cabernet Sauvignon 12/750ml
100% Cabernet Sauvignon, estate grown.
Aged in French oak barrels.
"Dark and brooding with a lush mid palate and long, juicy finish, this wine is somewhat atypical for Howell Mountain in its accessibility but all the proper taste character comes through on the flavor profile:  blackberries, blueberries, a touch of white pepper, camphor and black currants." - the winemaker

“The 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon avoids the hard tannin and monolithic character that can be found in some 2006 Cabernets.  Pure black raspberry, black currant, graphite, and subtle spicy oak dominate the aromatics.  Full bodied with terrific texture, a layered mouthfeel, and a long finish suggest this 2006 can be drunk now or cellared for a decade of more.”
- Wine Advocate (Dec. 2008), 92 pts

#C0EE901008CSL
UPC code: 7 84585 01238 1
2005 Outpost, Howell Mountain, Cabernet Sauvignon 12/750ml
100% Cabernet Sauvignon, estate grown.
Aged in French oak barrels.
"Dark and brooding with a lush mid palate and long, juicy finish, this wine is somewhat atypical for Howell Mountain in its accessibility but all the proper taste character comes through on the flavor profile:  blackberries, blueberries, a touch of white pepper, camphor and black currants." - the winemaker




2008 Outpost, Howell Mountain, Grenache 12/750ml
100% Grenache, estate grown.
Aged in French oak barrels.
"The 2008s include a beautiful 2008 Grenache, which is aged in old wood and steel barrels."
 - Wine Advocate (Dec. 2009), 89-91 pts

#C0EE901005GRM
UPC code:
2007 Outpost, Howell Mountain, Grenache 12/750ml
100% Grenache, estate grown.
Aged in French oak barrels.

"The 2007 Grenache, (which includes 60% whole clusters) from their Howell Mountain vineyards, exhibits classic aromas of kirsch, licorice, and spice as well as a medium ruby, evolved color that suggests a relatively diluted wine, but that is not the case at all. This expansive, round, generous Grenache is meant to be consumed over the next 3-4 years."
- Wine Advocate (Dec. 2009), 90 pts

bottle shot (picture)

 2007 Outpost, Howell Mountain, Petite Sirah 12/750ml
100% Petite Sirah, estate grown.
 Aged in 50% new French oak barrels, 50% 1 year-old French oak barrels
"Another 40-year wine is the 2007 Petite Sirah The Other. Some fascinating Petite Sirahs came from Howell Mountain under the old Ridge regime in the early seventies, but these vines were torn up by Randy Dunn, and replanted with Cabernet Sauvignon. That’s a shame as this is an outstanding site for high elevation Petite Sirah. The 2007 Petite Sirah The Other reveals abundant amounts of blueberry and blackberry fruit, camphor, licorice, pepper, and incense. Amazingly rich and full-bodied with extraordinarily supple tannins, it will be even better in 4-5 years, and can be enjoyed over the following 40+ years."
- Wine Advocate (Dec. 2009), 93+ pts
#C0EE901003PSM
UPC code:
2006 Outpost, Howell Mountain, Petite Sirah 12/750ml
100% Petite Sirah, estate grown.
 Aged in 50% new French oak barrels, 50% 1 year-old French oak barrels
"Our [Petite] consists again of three blocks: Upper Park, Lower Park, and some "Other" clone planted in the old vine Zinfandel. The Park clones always contribute the classic mountain spices of white pepper, clove and sage and the "Other" clone adds some richness and polish to their more savage profile." - the winemaker

bottle shot (picture)		 #C0EE901003PSM
UPC code: 7 84585 01374 6
2005 Outpost, Howell Mountain, Petite Sirah "The Other" 12/750ml
100% Petite Sirah, estate grown.
50% new French oak barrels
50% 1 year-old French oak barrels

It’s hard to quantify [The Other’s] massiveness year in and year out. All versions are big, some bigger than others with maybe this as the biggest to date. Sounds kind of scary actually but there’s plenty of fruit to buffer the structure and a surprising amount of richness right as you think the tannic clamp down is coming. Bacon fat, black fruits, lavender and wet stones dominate.


bottle shot (picture)



















 UPC code: 7 84585 01240 4
2007 Outpost, True Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley 12/750ml
95% Cabernet Sauvignon, 2.5% Cab Franc, 2.5% Merlot
Aged in 100% French oak barrels.
"This wine begins with a superexotic nose of acacia flowers, crushed stones, liquid minerals and cassis. Black fruits dominate the palate with tons of rich blackberry, black currant fruit and an underlying structure that carries the finish for minutes. I believe this wine is by far the best Cabernet wine to ever come out of Outpost." - the winemaker

"From a single 9-acre parcel, the 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon True Vineyard exhibits extraordinary aromas of acacia flowers and violets along with an irrefutable minerality, an abundance of blueberry and blackberry fruit, outstanding texture, full-bodied richness, great depth, and ripe tannin. This Cabernet will benefit from 4-6 years of cellaring, and should evolve for 40 years."
Wine Advocate (Dec. 2009), 98 pts

#C0EE901004CSL
UPC code: 7 84585 01240 4
2006 Outpost, True Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley 12/750ml
95% Cabernet Sauvignon, 2.5% Cab Franc, 2.5% Merlot
Aged in 100% French oak barrels.
"This wine begins with a superexotic nose of acacia flowers, crushed stones, liquid minerals and cassis. Black fruits dominate the palate with tons of rich blackberry, black currant fruit and an underlying structure that carries the finish for minutes. I believe this wine is by far the best Cabernet wine to ever come out of Outpost." - the winemaker

"From a 9-acre parcel, the full-bodied 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon True Vineyard includes some Cabernet Franc and Merlot in the blend. It reveals a floral cocktail-like bouquet intermixed with lead pencil shavings, blue and black fruits, good freshness, and laser-like focus. A powerful, rich, layered effort, it ranks a few notches above their regular offering. It should evolve for two decades."
- Wine Advocate (Dec. 2009), 94 pts



bottle shot (picture)

#C0EE901001ZLL
UPC code: 7 84585 01190 2
2007 Outpost, Howell Mountain, Zinfandel, Napa Valley 12/750ml
100% Zinfandel, estate grown.
Aged in 100% French oak barrels (1/3 new, 1/3 1 year-old, 1/3 2 year-old).

"Dense and concentrated, with bold boysenberry, cracked white pepper and loamy mineral aromas. Complex yet tightly wound plum and anise flavors lead to ripe but muscular tannins. Needs time. Best from 2011 through 2016."
- Wine Spectator Insider (April 2010), 91 pts

“Bright ruby-red.  Knockout nose offers red and darker berries lifted by ginger, flowers and pepper.  Juicy and intense; a real essence of zinfandel fruit, with superb clarity and spicy lift top the crushed berry flavors.  This really coats the mouth without leaving any impression of weight.  The very long, juicy bright finish features a fine dusting of tannins and resounding fruit…This sample was enough to restore my faith in Zinfandel.”
- Tanzer's International Wine Cellar, 92-94 pts

 "Outpost’s 2007 Zinfandel is a reassuringly terrific, spicy, briary example offering notes of minerals intermixed with lots of blue and red fruits, incense, pepper, and herbs. This full, heady, flavorful Zin should be drunk over the next 4-5 years."
- Wine Advocate (Dec. 2009), 93 pts
“The elegant Burgundian-like 2007 Zinfandel reveals fragrant floral, red and black fruit, and a spice-scented bouquet.  More fruit-driven than the 2006, it’s full bodied, finessed style suggest it should be consumed over the next 5-6 years.”
- Wine Advocate (Dec. 2008), 90-92 pts



 National Retail Price: $47.95 / bottle