2014 Outpost Wines Cabernet Sauvignon, Howell Mountain
The Winery
The Outpost Wines under years of leadership of Frank & Kathy Dotzler was sold July 23, 2018. Located at 2200 foot elevation in Angwin on Howell Mountain (east side of Napa Valley). The buyer being AXA Millésimes, the wine division of the large French insurance company. They own wineries in Bordeaux, Burgundy, Portugal and Hungary. Those wineries include Château Pichon-Longueville Baron in Bordeaux, Domaine de l’Arlot in Burgundy, Quinta do Noval in Portugal’s Douro Valley and Disznókő in Hungary.
Previously I visited the winery yearly picking up allocations of wine, but have not visited since the buyout.
The Wine
100% Cabernet Sauvignon and aged 20 months in 80% new French oak barrels. Double decanted and filtered before serving. The wine on the eyes is a deep brick red with a medium heavy viscosity. Blueberry, pepper and fresh violets on the nose. On the palate, it burst forth with vanilla pipe tobacco, licorice and both blueberry and blackberry flavors. The tannins are present but caressingly soft and Howell Mountain minerality lingers on the finish. The 2014 Howell Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon retails today for $200/bottle per Wine Searcher and was rated 95 points by Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate.
The Food and Wine Pairing
Paired this evening with a prime rib, twice baked potato, roasted Brussel sprouts drizzled with balsamic vinegar reduction, garlic bread and a fresh garden salad. This was an amazing food and wine pairing for our Christmas dinner.
Sláinte,
Michael
California Wines & Wineries 