Outpost 'True Vineyard' Cabernet Sauvignon 2022 750ml

Product Info

98pts Wine Advocate
Outpost's 2022 Cabernet Sauvignon True Vineyard has touches of pine and pepper, spicy-resiny herbs on the nose, highlighting black cherries, earth and black olives. It's impressively full-bodied and richly concentrated without seeming heavy or overdone, finishing supple and velvety on the lingering finish. While approachable already, it should easily manage to drink well for two decades. Drink Date: 2025 - 2045

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

94pts Vinous Media
Outpost’s 2022 True Vineyard is classic Outpost all the way. Dark, rich and sumptuous, the 2022 offers up an exotic mix of blackberry jam, espresso, licorice, incense, chocolate and sweet French oak. It’s a fine effort in this vintage. Outpost fans will adore this.

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
Sourced from the rugged slopes of True Vineyard on Howell Mountain in Napa Valley, this Cabernet Sauvignon 2022 is a powerful expression of high-elevation viticulture. Planted at over 1,400 feet above sea level, the vineyard rises above the valley fog line, benefiting from abundant sunlight and cooler nighttime temperatures that extend the growing season.

The soils are predominantly volcanic—rocky, iron-rich, and exceptionally well-draining—naturally limiting vine vigor and producing small, thick-skinned berries with concentrated flavor and firm tannins. The elevation and sparse soils contribute to the wine’s hallmark structure and mineral tension.

The 2022 vintage was warm and dry, with careful canopy management essential to protect fruit integrity during heat periods. The mountain setting helped preserve acidity despite the warmth, resulting in a wine that combines density with lift. The vintage expresses Howell Mountain’s signature intensity while maintaining balance and precision.

Winemaking & Technical Notes
Fruit was harvested by hand and meticulously sorted. Fermentation occurred in small lots, allowing for detailed extraction management tailored to each parcel. Gentle pump-overs and extended maceration built depth of color and structure without sacrificing aromatic clarity.

The wine was aged in French oak barrels, a significant portion new, providing framework and subtle layers of spice, cedar, and cocoa. Barrel aging integrates the vineyard’s natural power with polish, allowing tannins to refine while preserving the fruit’s mountain-driven character.

Minimal intervention practices emphasize site expression, ensuring that the boldness of True Vineyard remains the focal point.

Tasting Notes
Deep, opaque purple in the glass, the 2022 opens with intense aromas of blackberry, cassis, and dark plum layered over graphite, crushed rock, and violet. As it evolves in the glass, notes of espresso, dark chocolate, and toasted cedar emerge.

On the palate, the wine is full-bodied and commanding. Concentrated flavors of blackcurrant and black cherry are supported by firm, structured tannins typical of mountain Cabernet. A vibrant spine of acidity adds energy and prevents the wine’s richness from becoming heavy. Subtle undertones of tobacco leaf, clove, and iron lend complexity.

The finish is long and persistent, with lingering dark fruit, mineral intensity, and integrated oak spice—hallmarks of Howell Mountain Cabernet.

Food Pairing & Service
Serve at 60–65°F and decant for at least 90 minutes to allow the wine’s structure to soften and aromatics to fully develop. Ideal pairings include grilled ribeye, braised beef short ribs, venison, or rosemary-crusted lamb. Aged hard cheeses and dishes featuring earthy components such as wild mushrooms complement its savory depth.

Its robust profile makes it particularly suited to richly flavored, protein-driven cuisine.