2007 Outpost Cabernet Sauvignon

The 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon is their finest regular offering to date. This 100% Cabernet Sauvignon possesses a dense, full-bodied personality, an inky/purple color, plenty of graphite, subtle toast, blueberry and blackberry fruit, striking minerality, a layered texture (something Thomas Brown seems to get in all of his wines), and a long finish. It is the kind of Cabernet Sauvignon that seems to pass the torch of quality and greatness from the old boys who started here, but have now been dramatically surpassed in quality by newcomers such as Outpost and nearby neighbor O’Shaughnessy, to name a few. This has always been an impressive source for good Zinfandel as this vineyard originally produced the Lamborn Family Zinfandels. Kudos to proprietors Kathy and Frank Dotzler and winemaker Thomas Rivers Brown. Tel. (707) 965-1718; Fax (707) 965-1761

Good ruby-red color. Complex nose melds dark berries, mocha, graphite, anise and a whiff of tomato leaf. Supple, lush and broad, with harmonious acidity framing the ripe red fruit flavors. Not yet especially complex but boasts lovely balance and the big, ripe tannins arrive late. Should turn out to make a more pliant and generous drink than the '06.