: Accolades
Howell Mountain Cabernet Franc
Wine critics have lauded this wine as the benchmark Cabernet Franc for Napa Valley and the finest Cabernet Franc
produced in California. Complex and age-worthy, this limited production Howell Mountain wine captures the essence of the La
Jota terroir.
2009 La Jota Howell Mountain Cabernet Franc
94 Points
Steve Heimoff, Wine Enthusiast, July 2012
Hard to describe the balance and elegance of this Cabernet Franc, although it’s pretty hard in tannins. Below that is a fabulous core of blackberry, black cherry and mineral flavors. Rich, complex and dramatic, this is arguably one of the best Cab ernet Francs on the market. Drink now.
2003 La Jota Howell Mountain Cabernet Franc
Robb Cellar
The Robb Report, March 2008
"Is as rich and satisfying as its Cabernet cousin, though composed in a slightly darker key. Aromas of
blueberry and sweet pine greet one's nose, while the palate offers blackberry fruit blended with dark
chocolate, vanilla, and sassafras"
1999 La Jota Howell Mountain Cabernet Franc
87-89 Points
Robert M. Parker Jr., The Wine Advocate, December 2000
...dense ruby/purple color is followed by aromas of cedar wood, Provencal herbs, bay leaves, and blackberry/plum-like
fruit. The wine is medium to full-bodied, with a creamy entry and mid-palate, but finishes with astringent tannin.
1998 La Jota Howell Mountain Cabernet Franc
90 Points
Robert M. Parker Jr., The Wine Advocate, December 2000
The 1998 Cabernet Franc (250 cases) displays a complex, luxurious bouquet of plum liqueur, truffles, saddle leather,
roasted espresso, cedar, and black fruits.
1997 La Jota Howell Mountain Cabernet Franc
94 Points
Robert M. Parker Jr., The Wine Advocate, January 2000
The prodigious 1997 Cabernet Franc Howell Mountain offers a knock-out bouquet of smoky cedar/cigar box, roast beef,
and gorgeous blackberry and cassis fruit. Full-bodied and fat, with compelling sweetness, intense new saddle leather
notes, and low acidity, this terrific Cabernet Franc can be consumed now as well as over the next 12-15 years. Sadly,
there are only 300 cases of this rich, thick, unctuously-textured wine.
1996 La Jota Howell Mountain Cabernet Franc
93 Points
Robert M. Parker Jr., The Wine Advocate, December 1998
I have been reporting for some time that no one makes better Cabernet Franc in North America than La Jota, and they
continue to reveal an uncommon ability to capture the complex elements of this varietal, yet give it far more intensity
and richness than their peers. More >
1995 La Jota Howell Mountain Cabernet Franc
93 Points
Robert M. Parker Jr., The Wine Advocate, December 1997
The 1995 Cabernet Franc is a knock-out effort that may be even better than the 1996. It boasts a black/ruby/purple color,
as well as more structured aromatics with smoke, beef juices, saddle leather, and black fruits soaring out of the
glass. More >
1994 La Jota Howell Mountain Cabernet Franc
93 Points
Robert M. Parker Jr., The Wine Advocate, December 1996
The spectacular 1994 Cabernet Franc offers a pronounced sweet, smoky, earthy, roasted meat, black-cherry, and
cassis-scented nose. Dense, with fabulous concentration, a chewy texture, and a full-bodied, long, layered finish,
this wine is already difficult to resist, but it should keep for 12-15 years.
More >
1993 La Jota Howell Mountain Cabernet Franc
92 Points
Robert M. Parker Jr., The Wine Advocate, December 1995
The 1993 Cabernet Franc (350 cases) displays a gorgeously scented, aromatic nose of blackcurrants, herbs, and spices,
as well as a velvety, decadent richness, smooth as silk tannin, and a long, lusty, low acid finish. Drink it over
the next 12-15 years. Should readers see any 1992 or 1991 Petite Sirah, 1992 or 1991 Cabernet Franc, or either
of the two cuvees of 1992 Cabernet Sauvignon still taking up space on a retailer's shelf, do not hesitate to
purchase it.
1992 La Jota Howell Mountain Cabernet Franc
93 Points
Robert M. Parker Jr., The Wine Advocate, December 1995
The just-released 1992s from La Jota are stunning. The 1992 Cabernet Franc boasts a penetrating bouquet of
jammy black-cherries, flowers, and subtle notes of mint, and a soft, voluptuously-textured, medium to full-bodied
palate. The wine is deliciously forward, already exhibiting surprising complexity, and is ideal for drinking now
and over the next 12-15 years. It is one of the finest Cabernet Francs I have yet to taste from California.
1991 La Jota Howell Mountain Cabernet Franc
90 Points
Robert M. Parker Jr., The Wine Advocate, December 1994
This winery has established a reliable track record for high quality Cabernet Franc. Based on past vintages, I
would not be surprised to see the 1991 Cabernet Franc put on weight and merit an outstanding score with another
2-4 years of bottle age. It exhibits an attractive cedary, plum, cassis, and herb-scented nose, dense, ripe,
medium to full-bodied flavors, soft tannin, an easy-going acidity level, and a long, lush, opulent finish.
Although appealing to drink, it will last 15-20 years.
1990 La Jota Howell Mountain Cabernet Franc
88 Points
Robert M. Parker Jr., The Wine Advocate, October 1993
This small estate on Howell Mountain remains one of California's finest producers of world-class, complex red wine.
The 1990 Cabernet Franc-Howell Mountain reveals an intense dark ruby/purple color, a spicy, menthol/cassis-scented
nose, medium to full-bodied, tannic flavors, and impressive concentration and length. It needs 4-5 years of
cellaring.
1986 La Jota Howell Mountain Cabernet Franc
91 Points
Robert M. Parker Jr., The Wine Advocate, August 1996
The brilliant 1986 Cabernet Franc has aged exceptionally well. It has never gone through a dumb period and continues
to develop without losing any of its gorgeously rich fruit or unctuous texture. Still exhibiting a youthful opaque
dark plum color, with no amber, it possesses a sweet nose of underbrush, blackcurrants, minerals, and spices. Lush,
thick, rich, and medium to full-bodied, with gorgeous balance and loads of sweet fruit, this is a delicious, complex,
fully mature wine that should continue to drink well for another decade. Bravo!