2011 Howell Mountain Grenache
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The 2011 Grenache is gorgeous today. Crushed flowers, dried herbs, candied cherries, mint and anise all waft from the glass. Savory aromatics from the whole clusters and candied red fruit meld together in a wine of notable density for the year. Once again, Outpost's Grenache is one of the most unique, personality-driven wines in Napa Valley. This is a great achievement for a difficult and challenging vintage, especially for the notoriously fickle Grenache.
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Robert Parker
Antonio Galloni, Vinous
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The 2011 Grenache, which comes from the Alban clone, is 100% whole-cluster and 100% Grenache. Although its light ruby color looks feeble, once past that, tasters will encounter an extravagantly delicious wine. Vaguely reminiscent of the Chateauneuf du Papes made by Chateau Rayas, this 2011 offers a beautiful display of raspberry jam, strawberries, lavender, loamy soil, pepper and spice. Long, ripe and medium to full-bodied, it is superb for drinking now and over the next 5-6 years. This property high on Howell Mountain at an amazing elevation of 1,800 feet is owned by Kathy and Frank Dotzler. The debut vintage was 1998. They had the good sense to bring in Thomas Brown as their winemaker, and the results have included some terrific wines. This current group proves several points: 1.-2011 was a remarkably fine vintage on Howell Mountain; 2.- Outpost is intent on producing some of the world’s finest wines; 3.- this may be the finest Grenache made in northern California; and 4.- if you are a lover of complex, delicious wines, you should check out these Outpost offerings ASAP. Outpost has 19 acres under vine, 9 of which comprise their flagship True Vineyard. Five cuvees are currently being produced. Tel. (707) 965-1718
Outpost's 2011 Grenache has the all of the typical signature of this wine and site, but with a little more juiciness and mid-palate pliancy than is the norm. Sweet herbs, crushed flowers and mint are some of the many notes that are layered into the finish.