2011 Outpost Cabernet Sauvignon
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Tasting notes
Full red-ruby. Complex, musky aromas of plum, redcurrant, black olive and nutty oak. Ripe and bright but a bit youthfully tight today, with a firm edge of acidity keeping the plum and mocha flavors under wraps. A very nicely delineated 2011 with good energy and length and firm, slowly building tannins.
Critic scores
Robert Parker
Stephen Tanzer, Vinous
More reviews and scores
The 2011 Cabernet Sauvignon (100% Cabernet Sauvignon aged 20 months in 75% new French oak) reveals attractive scents of blackberries, black currants, charcoal and graphite, full-bodied flavors with impressive richness, a long, opulent mouthfeel and a heady finish. 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 Cabernet Sauvignon is fabulous. Dark, layered and expressive, the 2011 boasts terrific balance and tons of personality. Sweet spices, savory herbs, mint, licorice and new leather are all woven together beautifully in the glass. This is easily one of the best Napa Valley Cabernets readers will find in its price range. The 2011 finished with tremendous focus and intensity, all supported by classic Howell Mountain tannins. What a gorgeous wine this is.
(from vines picked on November 2): Good bright medium ruby. Blue fruits, licorice, minerals and earth, complemented by sweet oak notes. Densely packed and glyceral but bright too, with intriguing sweetness and excellent delineation of its black cherry and mineral flavors. Finishes with suave tannins and noteworthy aromatic persistence. Winemaker Thomas Brown noted that there was less botrytis pressure above the fog layer high on Howell Mountain in 2011, and that this vintage had the potential to produce wines with very good density of material.