Wines | La Jota Vineyard Co.

2023 Howell Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon

2023 La Jota Howell Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon

2021 La Jota Howell Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon

wine details

"There is so much refinement in this wine in 2023. It retains its characteristic power and intensity, yet the tannins are of such immense quality and precision that they gently support and glide the succulent dark fruit across the palate. Throughout, a deep ironstone mineral character shines clearly. On the back end, that expressiveness evolves into notes of loamy earth and wet slate, fuelled by a mix of dark berry fruit and finishing with a distinctly salted stone character that is wholly characteristic of this wine. Winemaker Chris Carpenter explains that La Jota’s wines tend to offer more generous, approachable tannins... That accessibility, he notes, comes down to thoughtful decisions around clone, rootstock, and site selection (some of the vineyard blocks naturally yield softer, more inviting tannins, as opposed to dense, palate-etching structures; he seeks Cabernet Sauvignon expressions that are powerful and present, yet have a gentler texture)..."
Jonathan Cristaldi
Decanter, June 2026

98 Points

Jonathan Cristaldi, Decanter, June 2026

$150.00

*Limit (6) bottles per order

2023 Merlot

wine details

"Winemaker Chris Carpenter believes the energy of mountain sunlight, combined with the right balance of Napa soils, creates ideal conditions for Merlot with both depth and structure. A small proportion of Petit Verdot is layered in for savouriness and a tannic backbone, complementing the naturally luscious character of the Merlot fruit... When asked whether he considers his wines more acid-driven or tannin-driven, Carpenter explains that the energy of the wine comes from very fresh acidity, while the chewiness of the tannins (derived from mountain-grown fruit) provides the structure. Acidity, he notes, is a defining feature of mountain wines overall, while tannins vary markedly from site to site. In this vintage, the wine is ultra-concentrated yet remarkably cool-toned, showing a subtle minty freshness alongside ironstone minerality—very much the 'iron fist in a velvet glove' metaphor. Ultra-fine tannins underpin almost unbelievable power, carrying layers of intoxicating fruit richness and Asian spice through a long, commanding, and beautifully balanced finish."
Jonathan Cristaldi
Decanter, June 2026

97 Points

Jonathan Cristaldi, Decanter, June 2026

*Limit (6) bottles per order

2023 Cabernet Franc

2023 La Jota Howell Mountain Cabernet Franc

2021 La Jota Howell Mountain Cabernet Franc

wine details

"Cabernet Franc has been made continuously at La Jota Vineyard Co. since 1976, notes winemaker Chris Carpenter... The wine is ultra-polished and supremely suave, brimming with energy and drive. Pure blackberry and black cherry fruit sit at the core, lifted by blue-skinned fruit aromatics, high-toned sagebrush notes, and accents of smoked paprika and dried thyme. The concentration is positively potent, supported by ultra-fine, immensely powerful tannins and a strikingly mineral finish of exceptional length. There is a saline intensity to the mineral character, and while the tannins are formidable, they are also refined and seamlessly integrated, making the wine remarkably drinkable in its youth, yet clearly destined to age gracefully and develop extraordinary complexity over time in the cellar."
Jonathan Cristaldi
Decanter, June 2026

99 Points

Jonathan Cristaldi, Decanter, June 2026

$125.00

*Limit (6) bottles per order

2022 W.S. Keyes Vineyard Merlot 3 Bottle Collector Set

2022 La Jota Keyes Merlot | Robb Report 2026 Best of the Best | Wine of the Year & Best Merlot

La Jota 2022 Keys Merlot | 2026 Best of the Best Robb Report | Best Merlot & Wine of the Year

wine details

"The 2022 W.S. Keyes Vineyard Merlot reveals dark Luxardo cherry, chocolate with high cocoa content, espresso bean, grilled bread, and a touch of cinnamon. These flavors unfold with incredibly nuanced texture, framed in their entirety by a firm tannic backbone."
–Chris Carpenter, Winemaker

Best of the Best
2026 Wine of the Year & Best Merlot
Robb Report, June 2026

98 Points

Jonathan Cristaldi, Decanter, July 2025

$675.00

*Limit (2) three-bottle wood sets per order

2022 La Jota W.S. Keyes Merlot 750ml Bottle

$225.00

2023 W.S. Keyes Vineyard Chardonnay

wine details

"The 2023 W.S. Keyes Vineyard Chardonnay opens with layers of Macintosh apple, pear, and a touch of apricot, with hints of vanilla and freshly baked bread. A well-balanced hit of acidity energizes the palate, driving to a refreshing finish."
–Chris Carpenter, Winemaker

96 Points

Jonathan Cristaldi, Decanter, June 2026

$130.00

*Limit (6) bottles per order

Mountain Merlot Vertical

wine details

This set includes one bottle of each wine:
2012 WS Keyes Merlot (96 points)
2013 Howell Mountain Merlot (95 points)
2014 Howell Mountain Merlot (94 points)

Virtual tasting with Winemaker Chris Carpenter in February 2026
A tasting for (4) at the Spire Collection Estate in Calistoga, California and ground shipping

Your wines will arrive ready for gifting in a black gift box with ribbon.

Mountain Merlot Vertical
High atop Howell Mountain, La Jota Vineyard Co. has thrived for over 125 years. Under the guidance of winemaker Chris Carpenter, the estate’s cool-climate vineyards are redefining Merlot. This exclusive vertical showcases the vibrant, mineral-rich complexity of mountain Merlot at its finest—and includes a virtual tasting with Chris Carpenter himself, offering a rare opportunity to explore the wines through the winemaker’s eyes.

$500.00

2024 Restricted Proprietary White Wine

wine details

The inspiration behind this wine was to explore these often underappreciated varieties and show how the can be greater thank the sum of the parts. Each variety plays a different roll. This year the Pinot Blanc really sparkled. Its focused energy serves as the heart of the wine. The Albariño was also brimming with aromatics and hints of salinity. Chenin Blanc and Marsanne add palate weight and complexity.
44% Pinot Blanc, 32% Albariño, 14% Marsanne, 10% Chenin Blanc

$60.00

Bottle Size:

750 ml