Howell Mountain
2012 Outpost Howell Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon
Photo ©Michael Kelly
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 – “Wine is bottled Poetry” – Robert Louis Stevenson
Photo ©Michael Kelly
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, lush blackberries, 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 2012 Howell Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon on Wine Searcher retails today for $262/bottle and was rated 93 points. K & L lists it for $170/bottle and shows Robert Parker giving it 96 points.
The Food and Wine Pairing – “Food without wine is a corpse; wine without food is a ghost. United and well matched, they are as body and soul: living partners” – Andre Simon
Photo ©Michael Kelly
This was a last-minute dinner and wine pairing. Picked up all meat frozen raviolis and a spicy marinara sauce. Accompanied by fresh sourdough French bread and a Cesar’s salad. Still an excellent choice with the Cabernet Sauvignon enveloping the meat ravioli and softening the spicy sauce. No doubt we overshot the pairing with the wine but it was all good!
Sláinte,
Michael Kelly
Outpost Wines 2016 “The Other” Petite Sirah from Howell Mountain
The Winery
Photo ©Michael Kelly
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.
Photo from Outpost Wines Website
Previously I visited the winery yearly picking up regular allocations of wine and spent a lot of time in both the tasting room and enjoying the spectacular views, but have not visited since the buyout.
Photo from Outpost Wines Website
Today they offer in the Outpost Howell Mtn assortment Grenache, Cabernet Sauvignon and Zinfandel. For their higher end, Outpost “True Vineyard” series, the two wines offered are Cabernet Sauvignon and Immigrant (blend). The higher end “True Vineyard” Cabernet Sauvignon ranges from $175 to $225/bottle. These wines are some of best wines I have tasted.
The Wine – “Wine is bottled Poetry” – Robert Louis Stevenson
Photo ©Michael Kelly
Had just one bottle of this wine, if I remember correctly, this was a special release they did some time ago. First on the eyes an extremely inky purple and magenta color with medium-heavy viscosity. Once in the glass, aromas burst forth of black fruits, especially blackberries and blueberries, along with floral accents of violets and roses. Then on the palate, a full and immersive elixir rumbled around the teeth, cheeks and tongue demanding your full attention to the fruit mixed with a modicum of licorice and mint. Finally, on the finish a strong minerality and black tea, combined seamlessly with the fruits for a unique Petite Sirah.
This wine was made by Thomas Rivers Brown who has made so many 100-point wines for Outpost and other wineries. Robert Parker rated this wine 94 points and deserved at least this score! It came in with 15% alcohol.
The Food and Wine Pairing – “Food without wine is a corpse; wine without food is a ghost. United and well matched, they are as body and soul: living partners” – Andre Simon
Photo ©Michael Kelly
Paired this evening with a dry rubbed pork tenderloin cooked to perfection. Topped with a Cherry Pepper sauce. Accompanied by Rosemary French bread, a fresh garden salad with crumbled Roquefort cheese, twice baked potatoes and sautéed asparagus, mushrooms and onions. The wine provided bold fruits and enough tannins to engulf the pork’s savory notes and complemented the Cherry Pepper sauce on the pork.
Photo ©Michael Kelly
For dessert, a freshly baked pineapple upside down cake from scratch with the juice added to mix, provided a very moist cake and delicious finish to the evening. The local store had no maraschino cherries! A special note of well done to the chef Susan Kelly!
Sláinte,
Michael