- CountryUSA
- RegionNapa Valley
- TypeRed Wine
- Size750ml
- SKU 210000041686
Outpost Howell Mountain Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2017
Outpost Wines is a winery based in the Howell Mountain subregion of California's Napa Valley. The high-elevation estate is located 2200ft (670m) above sea level and is suited to the production of red varieties including its flagship Zinfandel, as well as Cabernet Sauvignon, Petite Sirah and Grenache. Outpost was established in 1998 and has been run by Kathy and Frank Dotzler since 2003.
The Howell Mountain estate spans 17 hectares (42 acres) and is planted with 11 hectarees (28 acres) of organically farmed vines on red rocky soils. The site's high-altitude location sits above the Napa Valley fog line, giving vines longer exposure to the sun for slow, even ripening.
Critical Acclaim
96 Jeb Dunnuck
The best blocks of this vineyard suffered due to the heat in the vintage, so this includes more fruit from the deeper soils, hence the wine is more plush and forward, yet no less impressive, and has tons of ripe dark fruit, dark chocolate, roasted herbs, and underbrush-like aromas and flavors. With full-bodied richness, a powerful, mouthfilling texture, and sweet tannins, it’s a brilliant 2017 I’d be thrilled to have in the cellar. Drink bottles any time over the coming 20+ years.
95 Wine Advocate
It positively leaps from the glass with warm cassis, blackberry pie and blueberry preserves notions, backed up by touches of fried herbs, scorched earth and cigar box. Full, firm and taut, with a lovely line of freshness plus loads of savory accents, it finishes with great length and loads of layers.
94 James Suckling
This is really intense for the vintage with black truffles, mushrooms, sweet herbs, currants and blackberries. Black olives, too. Full-bodied, layered and rich with chewy tannins and a long, flavorful finish. Wonderful length and intensity. Needs time to soften, but already impressive.
94 Vinous
The 2017 Cabernet Sauvignon True Vineyard is bold and brooding in feel. A rush of dark chocolate, lavender, cloves, graphite and menthol gives this potent Howell Mountain Cabernet its brooding personality. Readers will find a rich, heady wine loaded with complexity and nuance.