Oh Oh - 2007 Outpost Howell Mountain Zinfandel

Ok, this is the second day in a row of being disappointed by a Zinfandel, yesterday’s being 2007 Venge Vineyards Scout’s Honor. The minute I smelled this I knew I was in trouble, and checking the ABV of it confirmed it: 16.2%. It wasn’t only the alcohol but the over ripeness of the grapes. I have to believe my palate is changing. I loved this wine last year, and I used to love Turley Zinfandels. However I’m about to consign the rest of my Turley’s and I’ve basically dropped off their list (although I’ll still buy their Pets if offered). I’ve been disappointed with so many Zinfandel’s lately I think I should just stick with Carlisle, Bedrock and Ridge, and that isn’t a bad place to be.

Just go drink all those sub 14% labeled burgundies and spare us all…

I like Zin…big ripe and brambly…btw all Outpost Zins are between 16.1 and 16.2 alcohol…they’ve aged pretty well in my opinion…

+1

Well said Tony!

Tom

I haven’t had the 07 Outpost specifically but across a few vintages I have found them to be enjoyable, peppery, full bodied Zins with a distinctive dash of Christmas spice, and not really any more ripe than a typical Bedrock. To be honest, though I preferred an 09 Outpost Zin to an 07 Carlisle Carlisle opened simultaneously last weekend. Iffy QPR but plenty of Zins push 16% and don’t manage to be pruney or overripe, I don’t think Outpost is guilty in that regard. But it is a big boy. Have you tried Storybook Zins? If you don’t like those, it might be time to give up on Zin entirely.

Struck a nerve did we? [snort.gif] Thank you for your kind suggestion concerning burgundies. However I will continue to enjoy Carlisle and Bedrock and their 15+% ABVs if you don’t mind.

I was not intent on making this another ABV thread; I have no problem with high ABV wine. However this bottle did not show well at all. As I stated originally, a previous bottle was spectacular. Hopefully this is just an off bottle.

Have you tried Storybook Zins? If you don’t like those, it might be time to give up on Zin entirely.

Haven’t tried Storybook in a long time. Maybe time to address that; thanks for the suggestion. No, I’m not about to give up on Zinfandel; I’m simply going to stay with the aforementioned labels for a while.

Plus two.

The 2005 & 2006 are drinking very well now.

You have a palate of stone anyway…go milk yourself will ya. neener

May I suggest Scherrer Zins, I am told the Todd likes em (no, not that Todd, the WB Todd)

The only Outpost I’ve tasted was the '06 Howell Mountain a bit more than a year ago. I agree with Mark: it was a nasty structureless alcoholic. And I went into that taste (1) being quite excited to try it, as I’d heard lots of good things about Outpost, and (2) ignorant of the abv…

That said, I’m glad others have had better experience with it than I.

Here’s my CT note on the 2007 Venge Scout’s Honor from almost exactly a year ago. I specifically remember this, as it was a bottle I drank when my dog (Scout) came thru surgery successfully. Honestly I would not have guessed that high of an ABV and am surprised it is. Admittedly, I’m a fan of many/most Turleys. But cannot deal with the Zins that do become so thick, sappy and alcohol laden that they’re headed toward the Port side of the spectrum. I wouldn’t have pegged this in that category at all. I have a 2009 laying down; will be interesting to taste it with this in mind.

1/18/2011 rated 92 points: PnP. Dark core with a fairy wide ruby rim. Notable glycerin on the glass. Nose is evolving rapidly, now at rose petal and lavender having come from graham cracker and burnt toast. Palate is very tight and will benefit from some additional air. At first it’s showing cocoa, black currant. Significant residual tannins on the medium + finish. I think this will continue to improve now with air, and should also hold in the cellar for another 5 to 7 years.

Lots of great lower octance old vine Zins out there. For starters, jump on Scherrer OMV and Nalle Henderlong.

Purchased a mixed case of Scherrer 375s last fall. While well made and a very pleasant drink, I wouldn’t put them up there with my favourites. I would say a more food friendly style.

Again this is not an ABV issue for me. I don’t recall the ABV if the Venge and it didn’t come off as alcoholic or overripe. I just didn’t get the zin flavours I was looking for; admittedly this was a blend but so are some Carlisle’s.

I had a similar experience with the '08. Seemed a little raisiny/roasted and lacking freshness. I’ll just stick with thier cabs. I really like Carlisle zin…

16%+ is ludicrous! I’ll leave my trust in Paul Draper happily.

I had the 08 Outpost Zin last night. 16.2% Terrific. Our guests loved it so much they took a picture of the bottle so they could search it out.

Have you looked at the alc level of some of those older Ridge Zins…not exactly low alc either.

The last time I had the 1998 Outpost Zin it was holding up very well, actually extremely well. And yes the 1970 Ridge Jimsomare Zin was something like 15.5 or 16’ish % and it drank awesome last time I had it a couple years ago.

Ran across some of these today in Houston for $35 each, so I snagged three bottles.

Nice - we are headed over to JC Cellars a little bit later since it is Kerri’s last day today. She runs the tasting room and is super nice. The point being, Jeff Cohn makes big wines too but very balanced. I’ll post notes on that visit as well.

Agreed Tony but it’s the wine as a whole; some modern wine makers seem to have lost sight of this. I’m not 21 anymore and no longer have a head of concrete.

I guess I’m just a simple wine drinker. If it tastes good then I’ll drink it. If not, then I move on. I don’t care if it’s a 9% Riesling or 16% Zin. As long as it tastes balanced.

Now this got me thinking - and when Traci and i were out at The Trappist (beer place in Oakland) - not too long ago, the alcohol levels on beer have certainly crept up. Or maybe they were always up there and my Bud Light 4.5% palate never noticed. But it seems all the beers were 7%+ with a couple over 10%