Outpost Wines was established in 1998 and sits on a pristine piece of land atop Howell Mountain 2200 feet above Napa Valley. Thomas Rivers-Brown has been the winemaker from the start and has gained further acclaim making highly sought after wines for Schrader, Rivers-Marie and many others. Outpost produces Zinfandel, Cabernet Sauvignon, Grenache and a Right Bank inspired blend called Immigrant. In 2018 AXA Millésimes, the wine division of a French insurance giant, bought Outpost from the Dotzler family.
Pitch black in color. 15.1% ABV. Big nose of black fruits, leather, graphite and licorice. Full bodied with ample acidity and a touch of heat. Just a beast of a wine. Huge, plush and concentrated. Black cherry liqueur, coffee, cocoa and blackberries on the palate. The finish is long with copious tannins. This is a massive Petite Sirah that you can pick your spots with now, otherwise, it will drink well for another decade. Pretty good but I had hoped for more nuance at 15 years of age.
My rating: 90 points.
Outpost wines are only available via the mailing list and sell out quickly. Don’t miss the Zinfandel, Cabernet Sauvignon and Single Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon from True Vineyard. Highly recommended.