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. — 7 months ago

ESF

9.0

So solid, year in year out - I know they make a ton of this, and yes it’s at Costco, but when you’re looking for a reliable Zin, this is it. Bordering on being too fruit forward - this barely checks the box for secondary aromas & flavors. Balanced harmonious with intermediate aging potential. Try to find their single vineyard offerings. — 2 years ago

Claire Montgomery

9.1

Part of zin wine tasting. Fav one of the set — 5 years ago

Larry Loomis

9.0

Very smooth Zin, good with or without food — 7 years ago

Joe Gosselin

9.1

Very nice zin, sweet and jammy — 8 years ago

Patrick Bailey

10

Absolutely my favorite zin??? — 9 years ago

Andy

9.4

worth the $8 bucks over the standard Zin, drinks well tonight — 9 years ago

Leslie Cole

10

Quite possibly my favorite wine ever!!! — 10 years ago

Mary

9.0

Go too reliable Zin for everyday enjoyment. — 10 years ago

Rhys Thomas

9.7

Really good reasonable wine- £12 at waitrose — 13 years ago

Andrew Cullimore

9.3

Medium ruby garnet, quite thin garnet terracotta rim . Quite rich , with ripe red fruits , some tobacco , warm spiciness , cigar box , ripe cassis , sous bois , after a while touch of coffee. On the palate this also shows good roundness with ripe red and dark fruits, cassis , red plum , grafite , touch of earthiness . Balanced acidity and rounded sweet tannin . Quite juicy with a grafite edged finish . Pretty good length. This is at peak now . For now and over the next 5 -8 years. Quite generous and showy , ripe but balanced, a good showing. — 7 months ago

Tegan Marriott

9.2

Classic Napa zin. Not a overbearing fruit bomb here. A producer who's cut their teeth & knows how to vinify w/ out the added garbage. — 6 years ago

Steve S.

9.2

This is a pretty damn good fruit forward Zin. Full of lush dark red berries. — 2 years ago

Lenny Joseph

9.0

Bold, jammy California Zin. — 6 years ago

Jon Ruyle

9.3

This is absolutely beautiful. Haven’t enjoyed a zin this much in a long time. — 7 years ago

Ashley Barnhart

8.9

Very good zin — 9 years ago

Matthew Mountford

10

Pretty good. Got me drunk. — 9 years ago

Heather Atencio

10

O.m.g. Fantastic! True to its name, this zin rocked my world! — 10 years ago

Beth Jackson

8.9

A nice smooth ZIn! — 10 years ago

Antoine Pin

Wine Buyer Kroger/QFC

8.9

Pass! Looks too much like Chocolate Shop. $17 / 88pts — 12 years ago

Andrew Cullimore

9.5

Bright medium ruby , quite thin violet rim . Quite discreet and fine, reserved on the nose . Red cherry , cassis , mineral tinged blackberry, after a while pomegranate. On the palate this is very detailed and precise , great freshness and with more red fruit, cherry , red plum , blackberry , wet slate , saline oyster shell with very fine tannins . Long mineral finish . Very young obviously but incredibly elegant and fresh . Will need time , this closed up quite a lot after time in the decanter . Better in 10 -15 years , will last well a further 10-15 . Incredibly promising . — 8 months ago

Sipping Fine Wine

9.7

Ruby with complex fruit aromas, spice and oak. Blend of 90% Tempranillo & 10% Graciano, aged 48 months on American oak, 20% new. On the palate flavors of dark berry fruits with spice, oak and smoky earthy notes, slight vanilla nuances on ripe full soft silky tannins. Long finish, nice mouthfeel, ending with fruit, oak, cigar box spice and clean mineral earthy tones, a joy to Sip this Fine Wine!! Tasting great, has more aging potential! — 10 months ago

Henry Fuseler

9.0

8/2021. Nice Zin. Smooth and full of flavor. Never been disappointed by a Turley Zin. — 5 years ago

Nic Anderson

9.4

We enjoyed this Zin a lot. Tasting notes include all spice, floral, and strawberries. It’s potent with 15% alcohol. Paired well with dark chocolate and honey/garlic pork chops. — 6 years ago

Kyle Groombridge

9.1

This is good stuff. Reminds me of some Turley bottlings, in Tegan’s style. Vibrant red fruit on the nose, a hint of mint, dried figs, tinged earth and brown sugar. The palate has some crunchy red raspberry fruit, dried florals, vibrant acidity. Needs some air, but when it opens up, she sings. This is the kind of zin I like - well balanced, not overtly jammy, but with the personality and fruit to lure you in for more. — 8 years ago

Lyn Farmer

9.0

100% Zin. Rich with plum, mocha and blackberry notes. Classic style of Zin with high alcohol but enough fruit and acidity to keep from going over the top — 9 years ago

Shannon Saunders

9.2

Full bodied Zin
Chocolate covered black fruit.
#FGWS — 10 years ago

Ashley Giler

10

Has a really great flavor and is very smooth on the finish — 10 years ago

Tim Shank

9.2

Exactly what I love in a Zin. Just the right amount fruit and spice. — 10 years ago

Rich Hattan

9.5

Loved this zin from Rutherford ranch — 14 years ago