Wines

2016 Cabernet Sauvignon

wine details

On the palate, the 2016 La Jota Cabernet Sauvignon has blackberry, rosemary, subtle Asian spice, and a hint of Petit Verdot that rounds out the flavors. With a great mid palate weight and earthy tannic structure, there is no doubt you are drinking a Howell Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon.

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97+ Points
Lisa Perrotti-Brown, Robert Parker Wine Advocate, October 2018
$150.00
*Limit (3) bottles per order

2016 Merlot

wine details

The 2016 La Jota Merlot encompasses all that is mountain Merlot with a structure to relish. Notes of espresso, dark chocolate, and toast follow ripe blackberry, minerality, and weight on the palate.

94+ Points
Lisa Perrotti-Brown, Robert Parker Wine Advocate, October 2018
$85.00

2016 Cabernet Franc

wine details

On the palate, the 2016 La Jota Cabernet Franc has an approachable gravelly minerality followed by herbal aromatics. Notes of anise, blackberry, and black tea are carried by an impressive mouthfeel and long drawn out finish.

97 Points
Lisa Perrotti-Brown, Robert Parker Wine Advocate, October 2018
$100.00
*Limit (6) bottles per order

2017 W.S. Keyes Vineyard Chardonnay

wine details

The inaugural vintage of our La Jota W.S. Keyes Vineyard Chardonnay comes from a cherished vineyard block planted in the historic W.S. Keyes Vineyard in 1999. This wine showcases the Chardonnay variety first and foremost while bringing the Howell Mountain terroir to life. With screaming minerality, refreshing acidity, and notes of white peach, crisp pear, and freshly baked bread, this is a Chardonnay that is ready to drink now, but also built to age.

The 2017 vintage started with a wet winter followed by a somewhat dry spring and early summer. With plenty of water and nutrients in the soils, the vines responded beautifully during the ripening period. In early September, a heat spell temporarily stalled the vine’s ability to ripen, but as temperatures dropped the vines recovered and ultimately achieved optimal ripeness, leading to a glorious harvest.

93 Points
Lisa Perrotti-Brown, Robert Parker Wine Advocate, October 2019
$100.00

2016 W.S. Keyes Vineyard Merlot 3 Bottle Collector Set

wine details

This wine, made to honor Howell Mountain vineyard pioneer W.S. Keyes, comes from some of the most highly prized Merlot vineyard land in the country. Winfield S. Keyes first planted grapes in this rugged vineyard in 1888, noting that the rocky, shallow soils here reminded him of Mediterranean islands near Sicily. Very much like his neighbor, the La Jota Vineyard Co., he was convinced that Howell Mountain’s high altitude and abundant sunlight could produce wines of great depth, complexity and ageability.

The 2016 vintage had an early beginning as we had a near perfect spring season. The growing conditions during the summer had few extremes, however, the ripening period was almost ideal with a brief late September heat spike. Just a touch of rain rounded out the end of October wrapping up a great season overall.  In the bottle, the W.S. Keyes Merlot shows rich mocha,  blackberry, and blueberry pie that capture the classic La Jota combination of intense fruit and complexity. The finish is structured with a well-balanced acidity.

98 Points
Lisa Perrotti-Brown, Robert Parker Wine Advocate, October 2018
$525.00
*Limit (2) three-bottle wood sets per order