Rob N

9.3

Great balanced full fruit low tannin Napa cab. $130? — 5 days ago

John Malcolm

9.9

A stunning wine! Cedar, black currants, fig, dark chocolate, and truffles. Deep purple with a fabulous finish. — 6 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

Rob N

9.8

Subtle (a la Outpost), oaky, great tannins, well-balanced. You do pay for it though. $350. With Greg Pelton. — 2 months 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) — 2 years 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

9.4

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. — 3 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

Rob N

9.5

2014. Simply excellent, reminds me of an excellent california cab like outpost or larkmead. — 5 years ago