2018 Outpost Zinfandel Howell Mountain, USA, California, Napa, Wine Review

One of my favorite Zinfandels. This is a robust Zin, but not over the top. It is quite concentrated and delicious. Purple in color with some ruby swirls. The nose has black raspberries, bramble, and slight pepper. Full bodied. Great, almost silky texture. On the palate, juicy black raspberries, black cherries over a slight gravel base. A bit candied but very concentrated. Long finish. This is so good now, but will continue to evolve a bit. It depends on what you like in Zins as to how long to hold. This should drink well for at least fifteen years, but that energy and robust quality should fade in five to seven. This drinks great now on its own but will work well with heartier foods; pizza, burgers, even Chinese food.

Grade:

Score:

Vintage:

2018

Top Ten California Zinfandels - 2016

I tend to taste and drink a lot of wine over the course of a year. I am in a few tasting groups, sometimes the wines are consumed at various local wine store tastings and a number drunk with friends and family.

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Napa Valley Zinfandels are celebrated for their easy drinking allure and bold juicy flavors making this varietal a total crowd pleaser. Zinfandels made in the Napa Valley are iconic, although some may say a little forgotten, however, it’s a flavor profile known for intense black fruits and spice which render Napa Valley Zinfandels as the most epically jammy varietal produced. The Napa Valley’s warm California climate is fundamental to winemaking and Napa Valley Zinfandels are a great example of how winemakers utilize that heat, skillfully harnessing the temperatures to produce some of the most intense wine the Napa Valley has to offer. Zinfandels crafted in the Napa Valley region, especially old vine Zinfandels, have exploding flavors that ripen outrageously giving life to wines that create an exceptional food and wine experience. When you find a way to always have excellent Napa Valley Zinfandel around it’s sure to illuminate any meal because Napa Valley Zinfandel is, more than anything else, a food pairing wine. These Napa Valley wineries with the best Zinfandel are recommendations specifically known for their outstanding, award-winning Zinfandel.

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A Zest for Zin

Welcome to Red on Reds I This feisty Italian redhead is dishing about all things red wine. Now please don’t misunderstand: I’m not a white hater - I mean, who wouldn’t love a crisp Sauvignon Blanc with a bowl of mussels? But we’ll stick to the world’s glorious canvas of reds. Think of this as an adventure: I’m your old college buddy who’s just talked you into a spontaneous road trip! Come enjoy the ride from a fellow wine lover (not expert) point of view and we’ll even unearth some lesser known varietals to branch out together. Let’s share stories, seek out new varietals, and soak up as much as we can along the way.

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2017 Outpost Zinfandel Howell Mountain, USA, California, Napa, Wine Review

Vintage:

2017

Score:

Grade:

A-

This is consistently one of my favorite Zinfandels. Deep ruby in color. The nose is nice with cherries, slight wintergreen, and sandalwood. On the palate, this seems a bit lighter than prior years. Good acidity. Light tannins. Nice cherries and raspberries with some underlying bramble. Good finish. Drinking well right now, it probably should be consumed in the next eight to ten years. It will be interesting to see if it develops more or puts on body. It is actually very food friendly and will work with a wide variety of medium and heavier foods.

2015 Outpost Zinfandel Howell Mountain, USA, California, Napa, Wine Review

Vintage:

2015

Score:

Grade:

This is a great take on Zinfandel using mountain fruit which gives it a bit more concentration and less exuberance. Purple in color. The nose has black raspberries, some blueberries, a bit of bramble and spice and slight black pepper. On the palate, this has a great dense and lush texture. Lots of black raspberry fruit. This is still young and should broaden out over the next decade with cellaring. That said, it presents a really powerful and enjoyable Zinfandel right now as well. Works with hearty foods.

2018 Outpost Zinfandel Howell Mountain, USA, California, Napa, Wine Review

Food and Wine Pairing Tool

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2017 Outpost Zinfandel Howell Mountain, USA, California, Napa, Wine Review

2015 Outpost Zinfandel Howell Mountain, USA, California, Napa, Wine Review