In the wine business, it’s not just who you know, but it’s who you surround yourself with that can help pave the way for success in a new brand.  Outpost winery on Howell Mountain has always been a breeding ground for talent… Some of their clients included Schrader, GTS, Maybach and Gemstone to name just a few. That’s also where Brent Sloan, owner of Rapport wines and former GM at Outpost met Anne Fogerty, who happens to be Thomas Rivers Brown’s assistant winemaker.  Her wife Camille is the director of winemaking for Fayard wines, and the combined talent of all three is a force to be reckoned with in the world of boutique wine production.  Their 2018 Grenache is sourced from vines located along the Eastern edge Rutherford, and if I could name the vineyard, you’d of already ordered a case…  The wine is profoundly detailed, penetrating and intense, and it’s absolutely one of the most stunning examples of Napa Valley Grenache that I’ve tasted.

The 2018 vintage provided idyllic growing conditions that were perfect for ripening Grenache, with a mild summer and extended Fall sunshine.  Rapport Grenache spends minimal time in oak in order to preserve the most pure expression of the fruit.  It was fermented whole-cluster, which is an old-world method of fermenting the fruit on the stems, and lends structure and depth to the wine. Trust me on this wine… You’ll be seriously glad you did.