2021 Outpost Zinfandel Howell Mountain, USA, California, Napa, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2021
Score: 
94
Grade: 
A
Current Price: 
$63.00USD

This is a very accessible Zinfandel that is also excellent.  Purple in color, ruby at the rim, mostly opaque and bright.  The nose has black cherries, slight bramble, sandalwood and char.  Full bodied.  Medium tannins.  On the palate, black cherries with spice and char.  This has nice depth and concentration.  Long finish.  Drink over the next ten years.  Great on its own, this will work well with a burger or other foods off the grill.  

2013 Notre Vin Cabernet Sauvignon Howell Mountain, USA, California, Napa, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2013
Score: 
93
Grade: 
A

This is a wine from the late Dennis Malbec.    Inky purple in color, opaque and bright.  The nose is nice with cassis, chocolate, cedar and spice.  Great texture.  Firm tannins.  Flavors of cassis with some graphite and char.  Long finish.  This is drinking well now and should have another ten years at least.  Great drinking on its own, this would work well with Roasted Eggplant dishes (and of course, beef).  

Duckhorn 2018 Howell Mountain Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

Vintage: 
2018
Score: 
94
Grade: 
A
Current Price: 
$105.00USD

I’ve long held the belief that it’s pretty hard to mess up Cabernet Sauvignon from Howell Mountain fruit. The vines there are simply exceptional. So in the very capable hands of Duckhorn, the fruit in this 2018 shines. It’s all Cabernet with 8% Merlot added. There’s a lovely elegance to this wine, a steadiness that combines all the elements, oak, fruit, wood and tannin together. Not one element outperforms the other. The soft fruit includes noticeable black cherry, blackberry, blueberry, mocha, huckleberry and the ever-present but limited vanilla and caramel.

Ladera 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley

Vintage: 
2018
Score: 
92
Grade: 
A
Current Price: 
$89.00USD

The grapes sourced for the Cabernet is like a who’s who of exceptional areas: Pritchard Hill, Howell Mountain, Calistoga – all definitive Cabernet growing areas. This wine offers rich and deep blackberry, black cherry, boysenberry with back notes of plum, macerated black currant, red raspberry and cocoa powder. Though the oak influence is evident  (aged 22 months in 82% new French oak) it is not overwhelming. This drinks beautifully - the kind of pure enjoyment you want in a Napa Cabernet. 663 cases. ORIGIN: Napa Valley. ALCOHOL: 14.5%

2017 Duckhorn Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon, Howell Mountain

Vintage: 
2017
Score: 
93
Grade: 
A
Current Price: 
$105.00USD

There’s a belief I have that if you mess up any fruit from Howell Mountain there’s something wrong with you. Duckhorn has consistently produced an extraordinary Howell Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon and the 2017 is no exception. Comprised of all Cabernet with 10% Merlot, this is a softer version than in years past, these tannins are a little more mild, the acidity a little brighter, and the fruit opulent and rich. Black cherry, blackberry, blueberry, and boysenberry, lead off and the fruit is a tad more expressive than in years past. It was aged 24 months, 18 of which were new French oak.

2014 Notre Vin Cabernet Sauvignon Howell Mountain, USA, California, Napa, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2014
Score: 
93
Grade: 
A

This is a wine made by the late Dennis Malbec who left way too young.  The wine is purple in color, slight ruby rim, opaque and bright.  The nose is great with cassis, spice, leather, char and slight black cherries.  full bodied.  Firm tannins.  On the palate, lots of cassis with underlying spice and char.  This is drinking well now but should continue to mature and drink well over the next twelve to fifteen years.  Great on its own, this will need some big fatty food such as a steak or roast.  

2017 Neal Family Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon Howell Mountain Estate, USA, California, Napa, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2017
Score: 
95
Grade: 
A
Current Price: 
$100.00USD

Bottle #5041.  In contrast to the regular 2018, this one is drinking great.  Such is the nature of the vintage.  While perhaps not a top vintage, it was better than many people say and the wines are so much more accessible young while still being delicious and complex.  That seems to be even more true with mountain fruit that is typically more concentrated than valley floor fruit.  The label lists 14.5%abv.  Purple in color, opaque and bright.  The nose has cassis, spice, clay and chocolate.  Firm tannins.  Good acidity.  On the palate, this is very drinkable.  Cassis, chocolate and some sp

2015 Outpost Cabernet Sauvignon True Vineyard, USA, California, Napa, Howell Mountain, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2015
Score: 
99
Grade: 
A+
Current Price: 
$225.00USD

What a beautiful wine.  Inky purple in color, ruby rim, opaque and bright.  The nose is very concentrated with cassis, baking spice, slight chocolate and a hint of char.  Full bodied with a lush texture.  Firm tannins.  On the palate, this is concentrated as well.  It took a couple of hours to open up.  Once it did, lots of cassis with coffee, spice and chocolate.  Lots of energy.  Long finish.  This is drinking well now but should continue to for another ten to fifteen years.  It drinks great on its own and will work well with roasted meats and veggies.  

2017 Outpost Immigrant True Vineyard, USA, California, Napa, Howell Mountain, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2017
Score: 
95
Grade: 
A
Current Price: 
$126.00USD

This is a blend of  41% Cabernet Sauvignon, 34% Merlot, and 25% Cabernet Franc made by Thomas Rivers Brown.  Pop and pour, this took about twenty minutes to start opening and then drink very well.  Purple in color with a ruby rim, opaque and bright.  The nose is nice with cherries, black cherries, baking spice, slight chocolate, a hint of iron and roasted herbs.   Full bodied although certainly not over the top.  Rich texture.  On the palate, this has firm tannins that integrate somewhat with air.  Nots of cherries and black cherries with some underlying tobacco and a bit of chocolate.  Som

2007 Pott Wine Cabernet Sauvignon St. Ralph The Liar White Cottage Ranch, USA, California, Napa, Howell Mountain, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2007
Score: 
93
Grade: 
A

This is a brooding wine that is just starting to open up.  It improved with air.  Purple in color, opaque and bright.  The nose is concentrated with cassis, iodine, graphite and spice.  Full bodied.  Medium tannins.  The palate is also concentrated with cassis and spice.  Deep but stubborn.  Give it a decant.  Drink over the next ten to fifteen years. This will work well with grilled lamb chops or grilled portabellas.  

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