Oh Oh - 2007 Outpost Howell Mountain Zinfandel

[R_Somerville]

@Tony V e l e b i l

@R. Somerville

@Tony V e l e b i l

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.

Agreed Tony but it’s the wine as a whole; some modern wine makers seem to have lost sight of this.

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%

Agreed again Tony as overall balance is the crucial factor but alc. should never define a wine in my view and, if it does, that is when I have a problem. I’ve had some horribly out of balance wines from hot climes in recent years.

[Matthew_Brown]

@Tony V e l e b i l

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%

They’ve always been there. They just have more visibility now as a high quality beverage instead of just a curiosity. Take a peek in at some of the beer threads; some nights 10% beers are just the start!

In defense of the OP, they did say they had liked the Outpost Zin in the past and was commenting on how their palate may just be changing, not condemning all high abv Zins. Though with the entire world outside my window shimmering with 1/8 an inch of ice, something with a little extra octane may come in handy if the power goes out again…

[allen_p]

The '07 Outpost Zins seemed to me far better on release than they are now. And it’s not that the fruit has faded, it’s the structure that’s eroded. I’m hoping it’s in a dumb stage (for the last 12-15 months) and will bounce back. Starting to lose a little faith though.

[Joe_Hauck]

@Matthew Brown

@Tony V e l e b i l

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%

They’ve always been there. They just have more visibility now as a high quality beverage instead of just a curiosity. Take a peek in at some of the beer threads; some nights 10% beers are just the start!

In defense of the OP, they did say they had liked the Outpost Zin in the past and was commenting on how their palate may just be changing, not condemning all high abv Zins. Though with the entire world outside my window shimmering with 1/8 an inch of ice, something with a little extra octane may come in handy if the power goes out again…

So true Matthew, I’m sipping on a 12% North Coast “Old Stock Ale” right now.

I haven’t had this wine, but Tony didn’t you used to work for Outpost?

[mstockley]

@allen p

The '07 Outpost Zins seemed to me far better on release than they are now. And it’s not that the fruit has faded, it’s the structure that’s eroded. I’m hoping it’s in a dumb stage (for the last 12-15 months) and will bounce back. Starting to lose a little faith though.

+1

[Tony_V_e_l_e_b_i_l]

Joe - I did. But haven’t since mid 2008. I’m just a fan now!

[mstockley]

@Tony V e l e b i l

Joe - I did. But haven’t since mid 2008. I’m just a fan now!

Ah, I did strike a nerve. Now I know why.

[Tony_V_e_l_e_b_i_l]

Not really, I don’t have anything invested in Outpost at this point. I just like the wines and like what Thomas does with them Sure they are high alcohol but you see the acidity levels. Off the charts high for wines that big.