Outpost Wines

California

Outpost Howell Mountain Grenache

Howell Mountain

$ USD

Release Price

Drink Window

15.3%

ABV

pH

TA

RS

Nose

We employed 50% whole
cluster in the ferment to add varietal character and complexity to
both the aromatics and the finish. The stems impart more of what
people think of as soil driven characteristics: black tea, pine
needles, dried herbs, lavender, sweet tobacco and sassafras,
especially on the nose.

Palate

Pure Grenache fruit takes over on the
palate. Again, the stems keep the wine from turning into a one
dimensional wine by cutting into the fruit with something savory.
In this case and owing to its Howell Mountain origins, it’s white
and black pepper, seared beef, a continuation of the tobacco leaf
and something else just beyond description.

Growing Conditions

Outpost was established in 1998 with the vision of producing wines that are a living, breathing embodiment of this magical place. Truly one of the world’s great Cabernet Sauvignon and Zinfandel growing regions, the unique terroir of the Outpost vineyards – the hard, rocky red soil, high altitude, gentle cooling breezes and sunny western exposure – produces fruit of incredible intensity and richness, with a distinctive spice you simply cannot find anywhere else.

Capturing the essence of the land’s rugged terrain, Outpost creates world-class 100% varietal bottlings of Cabernet Sauvignon, Zinfandel, Petite Sirah and Grenache from our own hand-cultivated, organically farmed 28 acre estate vineyard.

This wine is bound to create some controversy. For clarity’s sake
we feel like we should first explain what this wine isn’t. It’s not
dark, it has no new oak and it’s not a fruit bomb. The wine does
possess incredible nuance and layering that extends from the first
smell to the very long finish. The wine is barely medium colored
owing to its 100% Grenache nature.

Winemaking

Outpost grapes are harvested late in the season – by hand, at dawn – to preserve the full intensity and distinctive spicy character of the mountain fruit. The grapes are processed with as little manipulation as possible. 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 nor filtered allowing for the full expression of the vintages’ potential.