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Anthony Gismondi on Wine
La Jota Vineyard Co. Howell Mountain Cabernet Sauvignontext
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La Jota Vineyard Co. Howell Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon 2018

Howell Mountain, Napa Valley, California, United StatesWinemaking pioneer W.S. Keyes planted some of the first vines on Howell Mountain in 1888. A decade later, a stone winery was established and named after the Mexican parcel Rancho La Jota. Today, La Jota Vineyard Co. carries on the legacy with its small-production mountain cabernet sauvignon, merlot, and cabernet franc. The fruit is a mix of estate grown additions from nearby W.S. Keyes Vineyard. It is a big, brooding, dry, tannic cabernet whose life is all ahead of it. Winemaker Chris Carpenter ferments using native yeast in a mix of open and closed top stainless-steel tanks. The wine was barrel aged for 22 months in 84 new French oak, only adding to its structure. On the palate, it is mountain hefty with dry, peppery, black licorice covered in a dense film of rounded tannins. This bottle will require 10- 15 years of bottle age to show even a touch of maturity. In 2017 the mix was 80/7/6//5/2 cabernet sauvignon, merlot, cabernet franc, malbec, and petit verdot. Steak, anyone?Tasted: 31 October 2021Tasted by: Anthony GismondiPrices:
BC$195.00750mlselect private wine shops
AB$100.00750mlselect private wine shops
Producer: La Jota Vineyard Co.Distributors: Summit Fine Wines
Grape: Cabernet SauvignonCSPC: 163413UPC: 626990335504