Outpost Wines
2013 Outpost Howell Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon, 2020 JUSTIN Vineyards and Winery Isosceles Reserve and Posterity Ciderworks “Here’s to the Good Ones” Sparkling Cider
Background
Invited a couple over for dinner and brought out a new “wine” (cider) to start the evening off. I had double decanted and filtered the 2013 Outpost Howell Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon in advance. Our guests brought over a lovely bottle of 2020 Justin Isosceles Reserve for dinner. All three were excellent and from my perspective all the wines were perfect for the evening.
The Wineries
Photo ©Michael Kelly
Posterity Ciderworks – The fermented cider market, in stark contrast to the shrinking wine industry/consumption, is growing at a compound annual growth rate of 4.2% to over 6.5%. The worldwide market for cider is $16.38 billion dollars. Europe is the largest market followed by Asia Pacific region as the fastest growing from China and Australia demand. The US market size is estimated at $5.15 billion in 2024 and is expected to reach $6.86 billion by 2030 for a CAGR of 5%. The wine industry in the US in 2025 is estimated at $109 billion. Comparatively, alcoholic cider sales are 4.7% of the fermented wine market. Key factors in the growth for the cider market are the consumer preferences towards a healthier drink alternative; craft style implementation and lower alcohol levels compared to wine and spirits. Also, many ciders are sweet, but Posterity Ciderworks do not add sugars or back sweeteners which result in having low or zero residual sugars for their ciders.
Photo ©Michael Kelly
Additional factors like rising costs of “fine wine” and the next younger generations are “less brand loyal” than previous generations. Other concerns are the elitist or out of touch image/reputation of the wine industry relating to younger wine drinkers and demographic changes with Baby Boomers aging slowing their consumption. More at: https://californiawinesandwineries.com/2025/11/13/posterity-ciderworks-an-extraordinary-education/
Photo ©Michael Kelly
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). They being AXA Millésimes, the division of the large French insurance company. They own wineries in Bordeaux, Burgundy, Portugal and Hungary. Those wineries include Chateau Pichon-Longueville Baron in Bordeaux, Domaine de l’Arlot in Burgundy, Quinta do Noval in Portugal’s Douro Valley and Disznókő in Hungary.
Photo ©Michael Kelly
Previously I visited the winery yearly picking up allocations of wine but have not visited since the buyout. More at: https://californiawinesandwineries.com/2024/11/11/2014-outpost-wine-true-vineyard-howell-mtn-cabernet-sauvignon-100-pts-and-chateaubriand/
Photo ©Michael Kelly
JUSTIN Vineyards & Winery – The winery started first with a philosophy of taking the best of the Old-World meeting with the New World with an imaginative blend of Cabernet Franc and Merlot. The goal of bringing about the Right Bank wonders of these two grapes and making an outlandish wine was the cornerstone of their existence. Herbs, red fruit with structure and elegance came together in their Justification blend. Justin Baldwin, owner and founder of Justin Vineyards and Winery summed up the goal very neatly with the statement “We believe the wine should be exceptional from every angle. I personally invite you to discover our award-winning tradition that starts with our limestone-rich soil in Paso Robles and ends when the last glass is poured”.
Photo ©Michael Kelly
The winery was founded in 1961 when they (Justin & Deborah Baldwin) purchased their 160 acre estate in the Adelaide Hills. It is located 15 miles west of Paso Robles. More at: https://californiawinesandwineries.com/2025/08/13/2021-justin-vineyards-winery-isosceles-one-great-wine/
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 marinated tri-tip steak for 24 hours in Chaka sauce. Then before grilling, Flatiron Dark & Smoky BBQ Rub was pounded in the steak on both sides. Topped with cilantro. This rub contains chipotle, ancho, habanero, thyme, toasted onion, smoke ghost, roasted garlic and paprika! I usually don’t give endorsements on spices, but this is now our go to for BBQ meats (beef pork, seafood) and even baking meals needing a little “zip”.
Photo ©Michael Kelly
Seared at 1500 degrees and served medium for our guests. Accompanied by roasted parmesan potatoes wedges and sauteed asparagus. Also, a fresh garden salad was served with cherry tomatoes, crumbled Blue cheese, fresh bacon all with an Italian dressing.
Dessert was too decadent to describe or show!
This was an amazing food and wine pairing for the evening!
Sláinte,
Michael
https://californiawinesandwineries.com
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
A Wonderful Birthday Dinner
Stayed home this evening for some of my favorite foods and wines. A bit of difficult choice as I enjoy many foods and wines. Did settle for the following items.
Photo ©Michael Kelly
Paired this evening with an assortment of sashimi from Shiro Ninja restaurant in Angels Camp. A combination of Maguro (tuna), Hamachi (yellowfin) and Sake (salmon). Served with wasabi and ginger. This is only the third time enjoying the fish from Shiro Ninja and very happy with the freshness of their offering.
Photo ©Michael Kelly
The food and wine pairing were excellent with the richness, delicate flavors and texture of the fish, complimented by the mouth feel and voluptuous wine. Did need to reduce the amount of soy sauce and wasabi for each bite so as not to overwhelm the sashimi.
Photo ©Michael Kelly
The 2014 Peter Michael La Carrière Chardonnay is a wine that can be aged like many top shelf French Chardonnays. The deep and rich golden color was striking along with its minerality (La Carrière translated mean the quarry), almond, jasmine, lemon and pear notes. The intense creaminess was the hallmark of this wine coupled with a heavy viscosity. The finish provided jasmine and pear with a touch of butterscotch. Robert Parker gave this wine 96 points. Currently online it is running between $100 to $130/bottle. It should be noted that this is one of the few American Chardonnays that is age worthy. I generally drink them 8-11 years after the vintage date. Peter Michael in their notes today states the 2014 can easily go another 10 years!
Photo ©Michael Kelly
For the first dessert was a homemade pineapple upside down cake baked by Susan Kelly. This is one of my three favorite cakes the others being NY style cheesecake and German chocolate cake.
After a few other phone calls, video calls and emails, we sat down to watch a very intriguing movie on NETFLIX’s called Now You See Me. A mystery and suspense movie with a great ending!
As we watched the movie we enjoyed the second dessert, a 2013 Outpost Wines True Vineyard Howell Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon.
Photo ©Michael Kelly
On the eyes a deep purple, almost black color like none other with medium-heavy viscosity. On the nose a bouquet of floral aromas wafted into the senses. Once on the palate, blueberries and blackberries were the dominant flavors with a slight sweet vanilla tobacco hiding. The finish was invigorating with what felt like fireworks bursting with flavors on all corners of the palate. It was the quintessential throwback to Napa Valley historical roots of what a Cabernet Sauvignon should taste like. Robert Parker stated “the finish was close to a minute” long. It seemed longer and small sips were taken to savor the experience. It was rated 99 points and current pricing ranges from $189 to $249/bottle and up.
And that is how my simple and enjoyable “58th birthday” concluded.
Sláinte,
Michael
https://californiawinesandwineries.com