The 2021 Outpost Cabernet Sauvignon from Howell Mountain is big and bold, loaded with rich black fruit like blueberries and cassis, along with hints of tobacco, graphite, and mocha. It’s full-bodied with firm but polished tannins and a long, velvety finish. Made from the best vineyard blocks at high elevation, it’s built to age but already delicious now. A classic mountain Cab with depth and elegance.

Jamessuckling.com | JS 96
Published: Dec 13, 2024

A massive, bold and concentrated wine that pairs high-impact black fruit flavors with equally high-impact tannins. So full-bodied, firm in texture, deep in fruit and built for further aging. Dried blueberries, blackberries, hints of graphite, tobacco and toast. Opulent enough to drink now, but best from 2031.

The Wine Advocate | RP 95
Published: Jan 31, 2024
Drink: 2025-2045

Outpost's 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon is a beauty, even it doesn't show quite the majestic complexity of the True Vineyard. It still offers up evocative scents of crushed stone, cassis, blackberry and blueberry. It's packed, concentrated and full-bodied in the mouth, ripe—almost creamy in texture across the mid-palate—then rich and velvety on the finish.

The vineyards that now compose Outpost have a long history. During my November 2023 visit to Napa, I had the opportunity to meet Frank Dotzler, the previous owner of Outpost (he sold to AXA Millesimes in 2018 but has stayed on as part of the agreement) and learn some of the backstory.

A tech-industry guy infatuated with wine, Dotzler first started looking for Napa land in 1997. He connected with Phillips and Harris Land Brokers, who shepherded him through the process. "[Jean Phillips (then owner of Screaming Eagle) and Ren Harris (Paradigm)] kind of took me under their wing—I'm not really sure why, a guy from Chicago—and took me around to hundreds of properties," said Dotzler. "They also helped me go around and taste lots of clonal wines."

In 1998, Dotzler purchased an undeveloped 20-acre property on Howell Mountain that would become the True Vineyard. The parts of the property that were suitable for planting were ripped up in 2000—even dynamited in some places to remove rock. The first vines weren't in the ground until 2002. In the process of developing that vineyard, it became clear that another land parcel would be needed.

Working with Phillips and Harris, Dotzler got a call about the Outpost property on a Wednesday and was on a plane from Chicago the next morning. The property had been redeveloped in the 1970s by the Lamborn family and then again in the late 1990s by Terry and Julie Pringle, who originated the Outpost name. Located just a quarter mile from the True Vineyard, it was a natural fit, and Dotzler purchased Outpost in 2003. Thomas Rivers Brown (TRB) has been the winemaker for Outpost, since he worked with the grapes as an assistant to Ehren Jordan at Turley Wine Cellars, and Outpost was TRB's first client when he struck out on his own. Dotzler sold Outpost to AXA Millesimes in 2018, but the affiliation with TRB continues. Dotzler is also partners with TRB in Mending Wall.

True Vineyard, Dotzler's original property, is bottled separately, both as a straight Cabernet Sauvignon and as a co-fermented blend that includes Cabernet Franc and Merlot. According to TRB, the core of the Cabernet Sauvignon True Vineyard is always the first three blocks, each planted to different clonal selections. One is sourced from Ren Harris at Paradigm, the See clone. Another is sourced from Jean Phillips at Screaming Eagle, referred to by TRB as the P clone (thought to be clone 7 or Bosché). And a third, is sourced from Paul Frank at Gemstone, the Jenkins clone (said to be a suitcase clone from Château Lafite-Rothschild). TRB maintains that this clonal diversity is the basis for the True Vineyard's complexity.  

Decanter | D 93
Published: Mar 6, 2024
Drink: 2024-2034

Outpost's Howell Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon is a selection of their best vineyard blocks, planted up to 670 meters in elevation, all fermented separately and spending 18 months in 85% new French oak. It's a classic Howell Mountain Cabernet expression, leading with mountain-grown blueberry, violets, sage and bay laurel. Those all enjoy repeat performances on the palate, which is layered with rum-raisin notes and long beams of burly tannins that resolve in a rush of mocha spices and salty minerals.
Closure: Natural Cork
Alcohol: 14.80%
Body: Full
Grapes: 100% Cabernet Sauvignon

Jancisrobinson.com | JR 17++
Published: Jun 27, 2024
Drink: 2026-2040

100% Cabernet Sauvignon from their best vineyard blocks between 1,800 and 2,200 ft, each fermented separately. 18 months in French oak (85% new). 1,140 cases.
Blackish crimson. Firm, leathery tannins and glossy fruit. Still very youthful with the tannins and fruit not yet married but a serious, dry finish.

Outpostwines.com

Our Estate Cabernet Sauvignon comes from the very best vineyard blocks located between 1,800 and 2,200 feet in elevation. Grapes from each block within the vineyard are fermented separately so that our winemaking team can be very selective about the lots that comprise the final blend. Wines are neither fined or filtered allowing for the full expression of the vintages' potential.

Tasting Notes
"Cassis, plums, violets, iron, and spicy red fruit berries all emerge from the 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon Estate, a full-bodied, seamless, nicely textured, and balanced Howell Mountain Cabernet. For a mountain Cabernet, the tannins are beautifully polished and integrated." - Jeb Dunnuck, Highest Barrel Score, 96 Points

Technical Informations
Blend: 100% Cabernet Sauvignon
Ageing: 18 months in 85% new French oak barrels
Production: 1,140 cases
Winemaker: Thomas Rivers-Brown