Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.2

Most of the wines I open tell me a story w/ each sip. Most tied to my late wife Sofia. My memories of this producer precedes her.

This is a producer that flashed early in my wine journey. Generally, one you have moved on from today. That’s until, their 2013 is offered at $39 recently. A grand vintage. For me, I wanted to see the wineries progression and experience earlier memories that flood back w/ each sip. It has done that.

I have a Napa history infatuation. This one is kinda of a pleasure-pain thing. While I enjoyed this producer many years ago, the 2020 Glass Fires destroyed 90% of their vineyards, almost all their structures & their 19 & 20 vintages. I can’t express enough what a gut punch that is for its owners & staff. It is an insurance nightmare and let’s not forget that after all the time it takes to re-plant vines, it takes at least 7 years before you get useable fruit to make wine. So…a ten yr plus setback w/ nearly no revenue stream.

The wine tonight w/o a ribeye, showed excellent fruits that the 13 growing season brought. But what followed was a lean mid plate and finish. With the steak, not so.

The palate shows M+ velvety, dry tannins. Ripe, rich, lush, ruby fruits of: blackberries, black plum, baked plum, dark cherries, black raspberries, raspberries, poached & fresh strawberries & an understated array of purple fruits. Moist, grey, volcanic clays, moist tobacco w/ ash, used leather, graphite, dry, crushed rocks/limestone-sandstone, dry brush, dark cola, black licorice to anise, dry herbs-bay leaf, sage, dark, mid spice with some palate heat, sweet tarriness, dark, fresh, candied & withering red roses, lavender & dry violets, excellent acidity with a well balanced-knitted, nicely structured & tensioned, elegant finish that lasts minutes and long sets on dry earth & spice.

This is nice on its own but so much better with a ribeye. 92 on its own with a hour decant. 92-93+ with an hour decant plus a juicy, well seasoned MR ribeye. — 4 months ago

Shengli Hu

9.3

A most beautiful ethereal Zinfandel that hearkens back to the old Napa Zins back in the 60s and 70s. A mixed black field blend of Zinfandel, Carignan, Petit Sirah. Vines were first planted in 1895, 1995 was the first vineyard (as John O didn’t care for any grapes other than Pinot Noir…) Barrels passed from from the Pinot Noir program. Aged for 18 months. Medium concentration. Pale bright ruby. Red crunchy cherry, white pepper, bread dough, blueberry pie, cedar, pencil shaving, hints of stony characters. Elevated acidity and medium-grained tannins. Med++ finish. I love how light it is on its feet and I would have never called it a Zinfandel if given in a blind tasting. — 4 years ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.2

2005 such an amazing vintage.

The 05 Pipeau is a bottle that I’ve looked at in my EuroCave for awhile & have passed on it for bigger name producers. But, not tonight w/o disappointment. Especially, for $25 a bottle upon release.

It took a small glass & a few sips to get there. I’m there now.
.
Ruby, Claret in a classic style.

Showing the beauty of the age & vintage. Ruby, inky, ripe, slightly candied; blackberries, black raspberries, black cherries, raspberries, dried strawberries & notes of dry cranberries. Dry top soils, dark, rich, forest floor, river stones, dry tobacco, graphite, dark, grey volcanics, limestone/sandstone, anise to black licorice, dark, sweet tarriness, dry, dark dates, steeped tea with dark, withering florals that are also, red, purple and red. The acidity is mountain, cool, stream like and elegant finish that set nicely wire to wire with persistence.

Good first look and will drink well for another 15 years with proper storage.

Allen Brothers Ribcap...10 — 6 years ago

Ryan Vento

9.1

Celebrating my son’s first #birthday certainly merits the serving of some lovely wine 🍾🍷 What a wonderfully challenging yet humbling year it’s been raising a tiny baby into a little boy with a big heart, a loud laugh, and a captivating smile. I hope and pray today’s celebration is but one of many chapters.

Incredibly young (of course) and quite dormant. Decanted for 3 hours, probably needed another 1-2 at a minimum. Only until the final glass did some more defined notes begin to unveil themselves: vanilla, blackberry, baking spices, cassis, coffee grounds, mocha froth, and herbaceous qualities. Super powerful, yet it’s the blossoming gracefulness that will have me circling back on this in another 8–10 years. — 6 years ago

with Krystal

Lisa sakai

9.4

Third glass of wine at Firedoor 😳😳 refreshing and sweet, from New England, Australia. Hits my heart given I’m from New England, US. check it out @David Lincoln — 8 years ago

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. — 8 months ago

Rob N

9.3

I seem to like this more than most! It has a soft spot in my heart because it was the red pairing during my Le Bernardin dinner in 2018 with Greg. I then bought this bottle from the vineyard and kept it for five years. It’s drinking nicely now; it opens tart but mellows with air to reveal some graceful aging. ~$75. — 3 years ago

Lee Lightfoot

9.5

Best on day 3, but boy o boy it was great every time I checked in. — 5 years ago

Aloke Mukherjee

9.0

Sangita's 10/2/2021 — 5 years ago

Matthew Cohen

9.4

The first German Riesling we ever sold. Always has a spot in my heart.

1er cru from young gg grapes. The more muscular of the two most known vineyards. I’m not going to try and spell it here.

Had pork in cider for dinner. Was in no mood for subtlety.

Nose is a big-un. Dense as heck. Stone fruit. Herbaciois but not vegetal.

Palate has great minerals but they take a back seat to the concentrated stone fruits. Still has that mineral grip. Bracing acidity keeps it fresh. So damned well made. Mountain stream freshness.

Needs 30 minutes to strut its stuff. And strut it does. Ass whips grosses Gewachs from all but the tippy top producers.

Bought from fass selections. — 6 years ago

Wulf Losee

9.5

2012 opened August of 2019. Although I can understand another poster giving this wine an 8.8, this is not a wine for a Bordeaux lover. This is a rich full-bodied western US wine. Leather and bourbon on the nose. Unripe red fruit on the front, but it has a marvelous smooth-yet-astringent tannic structure. I don’t think I’ve ever had a Cab quite like this! No doubt the high alcohol content (15%) has something to do with this wine’s unique taste profile. Realistically, I think I’ve open this bottle much too early. I bet I could lay this bottle down for 20 years before this wine fully matures—but, alas, I don’t think I have 20 years left. So I’m drinking it now! This is a unique and powerful wine. Not for the faint of heart! ;-) — 7 years ago

Katie

9.3

Beautiful bouquet and delicious fruit. Very drinkable wonderful pinot! — 8 years ago

with Kyle

Sipping Fine Wine

9.2

Located just east of St. Helena in Napa where Conn Creek flows out of Howell Mountain. Their 26 acres of vineyards are in the heart of this 40-acre grape-growing paradise. Mostly Cabernet Sauvignon with a touch of Petit Verdot. A big wine with complex fruit and spice aromas. Juicy black berry fruits, with underlying smooth sweetness combined with smoke, spice and oak. Well structured, tannins still tight, gave in after 90 minutes, ending with earthy pepper character. Enjoyable now but let it sit in cellar. — 8 years ago

Tree Kilpatrick

9.1

Pretty simple yet kinda cool label. Has a moon and mountain theme. And the WA vibes are high with that name. It’s a classic pass over the Cascades, and a town on the drive, and some water falls. Color is good. Color of plum flesh from an Elephant Heart. Smells like wet dust in the middle of WA and grilled stone fruits. Flavors are easy and bright. Plenty of fruits, but a decent backbone too. Some anise candies to go with the berry and plum sorbet. Hint of smoke. Maybe rabbit brush. This is a classic WA wine style. And one I approve of highly. Especially for the $5 price point at Grocery Outlet. They just do good wine a great price up north. — a year ago

Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego

9.2

2014 vintage. New release...no really! Held back for a decade until "ready." Medium-heavy body and Cabs don't get much darker in color than this. Tasted more like Spring Mountain or Mount Veeder to me tho as it was missing that Howell Mountain uppercut on the finish. Very nice and the price wasn't as ridiculous as you would expect for a decade-aged, HM Cab project. Producer to keep an eye on for down the road efforts. Heart is in the right place. 8.28.24.
— 2 years ago

Randall Brater

9.0

velvety, rich and creamy in texture

orange chocolate, plums, green pepper, dried figs, tart blueberries, red and black currants — 4 years ago

Bobby Gilbane

9.5

Casual ‘74 Chappellet like it ain’t no thing! Oh but it is a thing. Good lord this is a sign that there is a higher power! Opens a bit musty but that blows off to reveal the still beating heart of the mountain. You could tell me this will last another 20 years and I would believe you. — 5 years ago

Cameron Etezadi

9.4

A fine release with rich black fruits and spicy finish. Some notes of clove linger and high acidity. — 6 years ago

Paul T, Missing My Beautiful Wife 24/7

9.4

Better than the 16, not as sweet.
Jeb 94
$20.00 out the door doesn’t hurt either
Winery notes

T A S T I N G N O T E S
Seductive black cherry, blackberry and currant fruits laced with cocoa nib, sweet baking spices and cigar box with silky texture and a long, savory finish.

S O U R C I N G
Cabernet Sauvignon (Red Hills, Moon Mountain)
Syrah (Dry Creek Valley)
Cabernet Franc (Los Carneros)
Merlot (Moon Mountain, Coombsville)

T E C H N I C A L
Aged in 100% French Oak, 25% New — 6 years ago

Mark Flesher

9.5

In my opinion, one of the top three wines of the night. Howell Mountain fruit, which is dear to my heart! I would say that the blueberry and dark black cherry with cassis that you typically see with Howell Mountain Cabernet is really not that present in these wines. This is more of a dark and deep black cherry, with a hint of youthful sweet chalky fruit that has a little bit of chocolate playing in and out in the middle. The finish of this wine is youthful, and shows a slightly jagged tanic edge that I am sure will softened over the next 10 to 15 years. Very impressed with this winemaker. Although I own zero bottles of theirs, I can see why they are one of the top visited tables at the taste of Howell Mountain events that come to the DFW area. Great pull, @Weston Eidson! — 8 years ago

with Dan and Shay