Freddy R. Troya

9.4

Outpost – Zinfandel – 2023
Howell Mountain, Napa Valley, California, USA 🇺🇸

Overview
A powerhouse Zinfandel from the rugged slopes of Howell Mountain. At 16.1% ABV, this wine blurs the line between classic Zin and fortified intensity, bold, muscular, and unapologetically impactful. Rare to find Zinfandel from Howell Mountain, and it shows the terroir’s distinctive stamp.

Aromas & Flavors
Jammy blackberry, black plum, and spiced cherry compote, layered with peppercorn, tobacco leaf, and cocoa nibs. Notes of fig and raisin round out the darker, concentrated fruit profile.

Mouthfeel
Full-throttle and mouth-coating. Explosive fruit upfront followed by fiery spice and dense tannins. Despite its muscle, the wine pulls through with a surprisingly hearty and lasting finish.

Food Pairings
Best with equally bold cuisine: barbecue brisket, lamb shanks, wild boar stew, or intensely spiced dishes. Could also shine next to aged blue cheese.

Verdict
A monster Zin, unapologetic, high-octane, and unforgettable. Not for the faint of heart, but for those who embrace big wines, it delivers a rare and compelling experience.

Did You Know?
Howell Mountain’s volcanic soils and high elevation are usually Cabernet Sauvignon country. Outpost’s decision to plant Zinfandel here makes this bottling one of Napa’s rare mountain Zins, combining Zin’s natural exuberance with Howell’s signature intensity. — a day ago

Tom Garland

9.3

Fun night!!
5th annual Inspire Napa for alzheimer research event.
Welcome dinner at Mending Wall Winery

WINES:
Abreu
Lokoya
Ovid
Mending Wall

MEAL PREPARED BY:
Brad Grimes (Abreu)
Antonio Galloni (Vinous)
Mark Pulido (Pulido-Walker)
Frank Dotzler (Outpost wines) — a year ago

with Brenda

Will Stanley

9.4

A totally complete wine, Sijnn’s flagship red from the South African outpost of Malgas, is an incredibly drinkable wine in 2016 that shares many a semblance with a good quality Saint Joseph.

Syrah dominant, with Touriga Nacional, Trincadeira, Mourvèdre and a nominal amount of Cabernet Sauvignon completing the unusual blend, it’s expressive from opening and benefits from a two hour decant. Dark, brooding and complex, with an iron core and some bright cherry acidity, it’s a virile wine with good length and a great accompaniment to beef. I’m lucky to have two more bottles and will excitedly try another in a few years’ time.

PS. Sorry for the unwarranted pic of my food but this was last week and I’ve since ditched the bottle. — 4 years ago

Freddy R. Troya

9.3

Outpost – Cabernet Sauvignon – 2022
Howell Mountain, Napa Valley, California, USA 🇺🇸

Overview
Crafted in limited quantities by famed winemaker Thomas Rivers Brown, this Howell Mountain Cabernet is the epitome of intensity and mountain-driven elegance. Rugged terroir and meticulous cellar work combine to deliver a bold, structured wine with remarkable depth.

Aromas & Flavors
Opens with graphite, blackcurrant, and dried tobacco leaf. Layers of leather, espresso, and blackberry compote unfold, followed by subtle hints of cedar and crushed herbs.

Mouthfeel
Full-bodied and powerful, yet finely knit. Dense, mouth-coating tannins frame the dark fruit core, while a long, brooding finish leaves behind savory and mineral echoes.

Food Pairings
Perfect with char-grilled ribeye, braised short ribs, venison, or a rich mushroom ragù.

Verdict
A serious mountain Cabernet, intense, deep, and age-worthy. Already impressive young but destined to shine with time in the cellar.

Did You Know?
Howell Mountain was Napa Valley’s first sub-AVA (1983) and is known for producing Cabernets with higher acidity, bold tannins, and dark fruit concentration thanks to its volcanic soils and elevated vineyards. — a day ago

Audrey Nadeau

9.5

Du bluet au bacon! Miam — 9 months ago

Deborah M

9.0

Officially winter here and I immediately wanted to enjoy a bigger wine. It’s funny how the temperature outside can easily influence my wine choices. First time trying this one.

Mending Wall is a collaborative effort between three families that includes winemaker Thomas Rivers Brown, Outpost Winery (Frank Dotzler) and Pulido-Walker (Mark Pulido & Donna Walker). It is located on the edge of St. Helena, at the foothills of Howell Mountain. The name comes from a Robert Frost poem. There is a line in the poem ‘Good fences make good neighbors.’

The 2017 is approachable now. Big, yet soft Cab. No need in waiting years, enjoy now with a short decant. Worth mentioning that it had a lot of sediment for a relatively young wine.

Shorter days, colder nights, bigger wines. Happy weekend.
— 3 years ago

John Malcolm

9.9

A stunning wine! Cedar, black currants, fig, dark chocolate, and truffles. Deep purple with a fabulous finish. — 2 months ago

"Odedi"

9.2

#AgedWineTuesday

Pale ruby in color with a wide reddish/ brick rim.

Strong fruity nose of red fruits, tobacco leaf, light oak, earth, mildew, herbs, light spices, milk chocolates, black tea and light barnyard.

Light to medium in body with medium acidity.

Dry on the palate with cherries, plums, light oak, spices, dark chocolates, coffee, tobacco leaf, herbs, black pepper and black tea.

Medium plus on the finish with soft tannins and tangy raspberries.

This 19 year old Grenache from Howell Mountain is still drinking beautifully. Elegant and complex with a soft mouthfeel. The high alcohol is well integrated by now.

Good right out of the bottle, and better after 45 minutes of airtime.

Was probably better a few years ago, but it is still delicious. Always nice to try these aged wines.

100% Grenache grapes were aged in used French Oak barrels.

15.5% alcohol by volume.

92 points.

$75. — 9 months ago

Neal Ferry

9.4

Utterly Fantastic — 3 years ago

Rob N

9.0

2018. Quite good! Very smooth, low tannin, almost like an Outpost but a litttttle more watered down. — 5 years ago

with Brendan