Outpost Cabernet Sauvignon 2022 750ml

Product Info

95pts Wine Advocate
While I often get pine-like aromas from Howell Mountain Cabs, in Outpost's 2022 Cabernet Sauvignon the herbal notions are more like thyme and sage alongside lovely cassis fruit. Full-bodied and supple, with a silky feel, the wine finishes with impressive length and hints of mocha and dark chocolate.

A tech-industry guy infatuated with wine, Frank Dotzler first started looking for Napa land in 1997. The next year, he purchased an undeveloped 20-acre property on Howell Mountain that would become the True Vineyard. The parts of the property that were suitable for planting were ripped up in 2000—even dynamited in some places to remove rock. The first vines weren't in the ground until 2002. In the process of developing that vineyard, it became clear that another land parcel would be needed.

In 2003, Dotzler purchased Outpost—located just a quarter mile from the True Vineyard—from Terry and Julie Pringle. Thomas Rivers Brown (TRB) has been the winemaker for Outpost since he struck out on his own. Dotzler sold Outpost to AXA Millesimes in 2018 but has stayed on as general manager; the affiliation with TRB continues. Dotzler is also partners with TRB in Mending Wall.

True Vineyard, Dotzler's original property, is bottled separately, both as a straight Cabernet Sauvignon and as a co-fermented blend that includes Cabernet Franc and Merlot. According to TRB, the core of the Cabernet Sauvignon True Vineyard is always the first three blocks, each planted to different clonal selections. One is sourced from Ren Harris at Paradigm, the See clone. Another is sourced from Jean Phillips at Screaming Eagle, referred to by TRB as the P clone (thought to be Clone 7 or Bosché). And a third is sourced from Paul Frank at Gemstone, the Jenkins clone (said to be a suitcase clone from Château Lafite-Rothschild). TRB maintains that this clonal diversity is the basis for the True Vineyard's complexity.

While Cabernet Sauvignon is the current star, there's a bit of Grenache and Zinfandel at Outpost as well. "When I got there, there was about 11 acres of Zin, and there's about five left," said Dotzler. "Two of that might eventually become Cab. We're committed to keeping it, but there is less and less of it." The Zinfandel was originally planted by the Lamborn family on AXR in the 1970s; it's since been replanted on phylloxera-resistant rootstock, using budwood from those original vines. "We call it 'Wente Clone'—that's where Lamborn said he got it from," said Dotzler.

Across the board, these are world-class wines turned out by an organization that manages to combine the near-infinite resources of a global megacorporation (AXA) with the soulful management of a founder (Dotzler) and the deft winemaking touch of Thomas Rivers Brown. For the quality, prices remain realistic. Published: Jun 12, 2025 Reviewed by: Joe Czerwinski

91pts Vinous Media
The 2022 Cabernet Sauvignon (Howell Mountain) is another terrific wine from Outpost in this challenging vintage. A rush of dark-toned fruit makes a strong opening statement. The 2022 has very good depth and fine balance. Only a slightly large grain in the tannin is a reminder of the challenges of the growing season, but those contours soften with a bit of air. Otherwise, this is nicely done.

This is another fine set of new and upcoming releases from Outpost. The 2022s, all harvested from September 29 to October 20, are telling examples of the advantage later-ripening sites had in this decidedly freakish year. Not surprisingly, the 2023s are even better. Harvest ran from October 6 through the 30th. The wines offer a striking mix of freshness and textural opulence. I expect they will be even better once bottled. Outpost fans will note the addition of a new Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve in the lineup. Winemaker Tommy Ufland continues to do great work here. - By Antonio Galloni on December 2024

Terroir
Outpost Cabernet Sauvignon 2022 is sourced from high-elevation vineyards on Howell Mountain in Napa Valley, where rugged terrain and volcanic soils define the character of the wines. Sitting above the fog line, these vineyards receive intense daytime sunlight while benefiting from cool nighttime temperatures that slow ripening and preserve acidity.

The soils—rocky, iron-rich, and exceptionally well-draining—naturally restrict vine vigor, producing small, thick-skinned berries packed with color, tannin, and concentration. The mountain setting lends structure, minerality, and a distinctive savory edge that separates Howell Mountain Cabernet from its valley floor counterparts.

The 2022 growing season was warm and dry, demanding attentive vineyard management. Despite heat spikes, elevation and diurnal cooling preserved freshness and balance. The vintage expresses ripe, concentrated fruit while retaining the structural backbone and lift characteristic of mountain-grown Cabernet.

Winemaking & Technical Notes
Hand-harvested fruit was meticulously sorted before fermentation in small lots. Temperature-controlled fermentation allowed for precise extraction, while gentle pump-overs and extended maceration built depth without sacrificing aromatic clarity.

The wine was aged in French oak barrels, with a thoughtful proportion of new oak contributing structure and subtle spice. The élevage enhances integration, allowing firm mountain tannins to soften while preserving the vineyard’s bold identity.

Minimal intervention in the cellar ensures that the distinctive Howell Mountain character remains front and center.

Tasting Notes
Deep garnet-purple in the glass, the 2022 opens with aromas of blackberry, cassis, and black cherry layered over graphite and crushed stone. Hints of violet, espresso, and dark chocolate emerge as the wine breathes.

On the palate, it is full-bodied and structured, with concentrated flavors of blackcurrant and ripe plum. Firm, fine-grained tannins frame the fruit, while a vibrant core of acidity provides lift and balance. Notes of tobacco leaf, cedar, and subtle baking spice add complexity. The finish is long and persistent, marked by dark fruit and mineral tension.

The wine combines mountain intensity with polish, offering both power and precision.

Food Pairing & Service
Serve at 60–65°F and decant for at least 60–90 minutes to allow full aromatic expression. Ideal pairings include grilled ribeye, slow-braised short ribs, venison, or herb-crusted lamb. Its structure also complements aged cheeses and dishes featuring earthy elements such as porcini or truffle.

Rich, protein-driven cuisine will best highlight the wine’s depth and tannic backbone.

Cellaring & Longevity
The 2022 Outpost Cabernet Sauvignon is built for aging. While enjoyable now with extended decanting, its concentrated fruit and structured tannins suggest significant cellaring potential.

Over the next 5–8 years, primary dark fruit will gradually evolve into notes of dried blackberry, leather, graphite, and forest floor. Optimal drinking is anticipated from 2028 through 2045, with the potential to age gracefully for 15–20+ years under proper cellar conditions.

With time, the wine’s formidable structure will integrate further, revealing layered complexity and the enduring character that defines Howell Mountain Cabernet.