Bob McDonald

9.5

I’ll just commence this tasting note to see if it is accepted. Dense Ruby in colour. Blackcurrant and tobacco notes - ripe blue and black fruits - luscious texture. Anytime I’ve had a Napa (or Washington State) Cabernet I have always been impressed - probably better than most good Aussie Cabernets (and more expensive). Has a good future but irresistible right now. Have the last bottle in a year or two. Interestingly reverse osmosis was used to reduce the alcohol. Now at 13.9%. — 2 months ago

Joshua Fisher

9.3

New 2012 vintage BTG at the restaurant — 4 years ago

Aaron Rankin

9.4

Killer at this age with a whole lot of stuffing remaining. — 5 years ago

Justin Hart

9.4

Wonderful notes of wet concrete, ripe strawberry, and baking spices on the nose. Medium bodied (so for a grenache maybe on the heavier side), light tannins and a beautiful ruby color greet you at every sip. On the palette the strawberry notes are intense, and I would call this a “boozy” grenache as the alcohol is quite punchy. The strawberry notes are coupled with dried meat, white pepper and hints of red plum. Yum! — 6 years ago

with Cherish and Jen

Sam Hege

9.7

Great texture and oak integration. Tannins are lively, but inviting at this young age. A brightness that lifts a core of dark fruit with savory layers lingering just underneath. — 7 years ago

Brenda Terzich-Garland

9.1

Bought this Howell Mtn. Zin at the Turley Winery in Amador County on the Shenandoah Wine Trail (the Sierra Foothills in CA. Black cherry fruit and gravel spice nose. A full mouth of dark cherry, cassis and spice taste with a chocolate vanilla finish. Pairs well with pizza on a warming summer evening in our lovely backyard on the green. — 7 years ago

with Franca and Jill

Shay A

9.4

I opened a ‘14 Cimarossa Ponente for Weston to get a feel for their style at a young age and while it was shockingly soft, open and showing plenty of fruit, Mark wanted to compare how an older Levante would show. The more I have these wines, the more I think Ponente (for my taste) can be enjoyed younger while Levante & Rian need more age to shine. This ‘07 Levante was fantastic. Nose of black cherry pie, blackberries and roasted plum. Powerful on the palate revealing red clay, blue and black fruit, but more dominant to the dark fruit side. Mocha, dark cocoa and vanilla pipe tobacco too. Don’t think it’s getting any better! — 7 years ago

with Mark and Weston

Nathan Renfro

9.2

Less tannic and more fruit forward than what I would expect from a young Howell Mtn cab. Big red and black fruit, ripe, nice mouthfeel but the fruit is dominant. Pretty good deal though finding it at an HEB in Houston. — 3 months 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

"Odedi"

9.4

It's definitely time for a great Merlot on this #MerlotThursday.

Dark ruby in color with a short reddish rim.

Great nose of black currants, plums, cooked cherries, cedar, vanilla, spices, espresso, cola, light herbs, peppercorn, pencil lead and earth.

Full bodied with medium acidity and elegant.

Dry and fruity on the palate with blackberries, black currants, plums, cooked cherries, cedar, vanilla, licorice, spices, chocolates, tobacco, mocha, earth, peppercorn and leather.

Nice length on the finish with fine grained tannins and tangy cherries.

This is a delicious Merlot based blend from Napa Valley. Rich, yet elegant. Fruit forward with nice complexity.

This 8 year old Magnum is drinking very nicely now. The fact that it is from a great vintage doesn't hurt it either.

Delicious right out of the bottle, and better after 2 hours of airtime.

Excellent quality. Will continue to age nicely in the next 10 years.

Thank you Barry for sharing this with me.

Good by itself or with food. I paired it with delicious lamb chops.

Grapes are grown at 2,100 feet of elevation. A blend of 71% Merlot and 29% Cabernet Sauvignon. Aged in French oak barrels (31% new) for 25 months. A small production of 579 cases. Made by Philippe Melka.

15.1% alcohol by volume.

94 points.

$350 (Magnum) — 5 years ago

Justin Hart

9.5

This 2012 BDX blend could easily go another 7 years. It is still bound up (aeration required) and seething with intense blackberries, black currant and firm tannins. After mild aeration, the darker fruit gives way to a little bit of ripe cherry, tobacco and some faint but of vanilla. After heavy aeration, the vanilla comes out more noticeably on the nose, dominating everything else basically, with a hint of cherry at the end. On the palette the jamminess starts to show through, with ripe cherry and red plum overshadowing the tobacco and finishing with a strong white pepper note. — 7 years ago

with Cherish and Jen

Mark Flesher

9.4

Last time I opened one of these was back in 2012....what a difference six years has made! This wine has come to full maturity. Drinking at the very top and showing everything it has. Dark black mulberry, balckberry, figs and sweet roasted plums. Middle goes dark and gritty. Espresso bean, while still retaining an overt sweetness. the finish of this has great balance, nice acidity, resolving tannin, roasted black fruits and black pepper. Dang. Happy 4th of July everyone! — 7 years ago

Jon Tate

9.2

San antonio bobs steak and chophouse. Darioush was better at that pricepoint. Nuttier and spicier than darioush. — 7 years ago

Paul J

9.8

Merry Christmas!!

1hr-+ decant. Dark red color. Cedar, dark cherries, and subtle pencil shavings on the nose. Drinking at its apex! Could be mistaken for a high end Bordeaux. Silky texture, juicy but elegant with lovely terroir, and complex. Nice depth and long finish. This is right in my wheelhouse!!

Pairs perfectly with ham!! — 6 months ago

with Brooke

Morgan Reese

9.8

NYE at The Hashknife. Robert talked them into selling during our visit in September. Incredible! — 3 years ago

with Andrew

Joan Ziegler

9.3

2015 Enjoyed with my colleagues at Sequent — 5 years ago

Mike R

9.2

It was great at first but falling off at end - still enjoyed — 6 years ago

with Jeff

Brett Rogosin

9.2

I remember this being very good and being impressed with JP Pinot when visiting. At 8 years this wine has developed really well and still has a couple years to it left. There’s a good black pepper on the nose with dried leaves, tree bark, and red currant. The acidity rushes down the side of my mouth with a mild tannin finish on the tip of the tongue. The nose transfers through quite well. Yummy — 6 years ago

David L

9.1

09 wasn’t my favorite vintage from them. This needs a few hours of decanting. Didn’t do that...time wasn’t on my side. -at Manta -Mauna Kea, Hawaii — 7 years ago

Steve Goore

8.9

Overlooked this numerous times at TJs but once I saw it score a 99 at the CA State Fair I had to give it a try. Not disappointed! Don’t usually go for inexpensive cabs, but this $6 gem at TJs is tasty via tart cherry and light tannins. Pretty smooth. — 7 years ago