1 bottle each of 2009 Howell Mountain Zinfandel and the 2009 Howell Mountain Petite Sirah

Bought on release and stored in a temperature-controlled cellar.

About Outpost: Standing high atop Howell Mountain at 2,200 feet above Napa Valley, it's easy to see the inspiration and adventurous spirit that is the essence of Outpost Wines.

Outpost was established in 1998 with the vision of producing wines that are a living, breathing embodiment of this magical place. Truly one of the world's great Cabernet Sauvignon and Zinfandel growing regions, the unique terroir of the Outpost vineyards - the hard, rocky red soil, high altitude, gentle cooling breezes and sunny western exposure - produces fruit of incredible intensity and richness, with a distinctive spice you simply cannot find anywhere else.

Zinfandel Description: The Zin showed its typical creamy texture almost immediately, which usually takes a year or two to develop in bottle. Its brambly ripe fruit meshes seamlessly with the spice and white pepper, which is the trademark of Howell Mountain. Beautifully dark in color the wine possesses balance throughout and finishes with silky fine-grained tannins. This wine drinks remarkably well now but has the structure to last many years.

Winemaker- Thomas Rivers Brown

Black plums, black cherries, mint, new leather and licorice are some of the many notes that flow from the 2009 Zinfandel. This big, explosive Zinfandel is literally bursting with detail and varietal nuance. An extroverted, highly expressive finish rounds things out in style.

SCORE: 92 POINTS – Robert Parker

Petite Sirah Description: The 2009 Petite Sirah is rich, structured and totally beautiful. It shows gorgeous persistence and fabulous overall balance in a rich, seamless style for this variety. The wilder qualities of Petite Sirah are mostly tamed in this fruit-driven, gorgeous wine. Tar, mint, licorice and smoke add complexity on the finish.

SCORE: 93 POINTS – Robert Parker