Outpost Howell Mountain Zinfandel 2003
Outpost
There's the classic white pepper/rare beef nose followed by ripe, rich blackberries, creme de cassis, tobacco, spearmint and sagebrush. Big acidity plus the requisite Howell Mountain tannins make this another candidate for aging though with a slightly higher pH than normal, the wine has begun to shed some of its rough edges in bottle. We still recommend at least six months of age after release or several hours in a decanter before trying your first bottle. While writing these notes for the mailer, we had a half bottle in an open decanter for 72 hours and the last sip was the best.
International Wine Cellar
Dark red-ruby. Penetrating aromas of cassis, blackberry and licorice, with a mineral firmness that carries through onto the palate. This highly concentrated zin began a bit brutal but turned thick and creamy with aeration, while maintaining lovely lift from its licorice and orange peel flavors. Very densely packed and sweet, with plenty of material to buffer its 16.2% alcohol.
Score: 90.
—Stephen Tanzer,
All sizes are 750mL unless otherwise noted.
Vintages and ratings subject to change at any time.
All pricing and availability subject to change.
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