Wines with serious terroir, La Jota is a storied Howell Mountain property that has roots back to the nineteenth century. For those who have never visited this storied estate, this is a really special property perched high above the Napa valley floor. La Jota was originally founded in the 1890s by Fredrich Hess, an immigrant from Switzerland. Over time these wines received considerable accolades. Intriguingly they even received a gold medal for their wine at the World’s Fair of 1904 in St. Louis. La Jota wines are made from low yielding vines planted amongst 28 acres. The high altitude keeps the freshness and minerality to the wine that remains even in warmer vintages like 2016.
At the vineyard, vines are planted on volcanic soils at relatively high elevation which gives the red wines excellent richness and aging potential. The terroir of Howell Mountain also has colder temperatures at night, compared to the Napa Valley floor -- which leads to lower yields than the floor and also smaller but richly concentrated fruit. Being at higher elevation also protects the fruit from the intense temperatures sometimes experienced on the Napa floor.
A man needing no introduction, head winemaker, Christopher Carpenter has a B.A. in biology, as well as an M.B.A. in international business. After officially falling in love with wine, Carpenter completed the illustrious masters of viticulture and enology program at UC Davis. He took over as head winemaker at La Jota in 2005. HIs new wines were just incredible across the board. La Jota crafts some of the best Cabernet Franc wines in Napa, and this years release, the 2016 La Jota Cabernet Franc (WWB, 95) is no exception as this bottling shows a silky mouthfeel and polished texture that delights with its herbal tones and dark fruit core. I was totally blown way with the 2016 La Jota Cabernet Sauvignon (WWB, 96) has is massive, well-structured and decadent. This is a magical wine that will cellar well for decades to come. Learn more about these special wines at https://www.lajotavineyardco.com Here are the gorgeous new wines by La Jota.
2016 La Jota Cabernet Franc-The 2016 La Jota Cabernet Franc is one of the best of its kind in the Napa Valley. On the nose there are pretty aromatics of potpourri and lavender that collide with the deep core of dark fruits and coffee ground undertones that mingle in the glass. The palate has a wonderful brightness with silky tannins and a soft mouthfeel. Blackberry cordial, Turkish coffee and shades of blueberry pie give this plenty of exotic appeal. The long finish lingers. A complete wine, the 2016 La Jota Cabernet Franc will have an exceedingly long life ahead of it. Drink 2022-2045- 95
2016 La Jota Cabernet Sauvignon- Sourced from Howell Mountain, the 2016 La Jota Cabernet Sauvignon is a compelling blend of 77% Cabernet Sauvignon, 8% Cabernet Franc, and 7% Malbec with small portions Merlot and Petit Verdot. The heady aromatics bring you back to the glass for more hedonistic delight. Blackberry compote, mocha, tar, anise and creme de cassis aromatics all sing in unison in the glass. The palate has wonderful weight and density, while being exceedingly light on its feet. The elegance mid-palate is exceptional. Creosote and blackberry pie with shades of dark chocolate shavings, leather and pipe tobacco all mingle together on the palate. A delight to savor in its youth, try to resist this beautiful wine for at least another two years. Drink 2022-2045- 96
2016 La Jota Merlot- Sourced from their high elevation vineyard on Howell Mountain, the 2016 La Jota Merlot is an intriguing blend of 90% Merlot, 5.5% Petit Verdot with 4.5% Tannat. Toasty oak wraps around a core of roasted figs, mocha, dusty terroir and red bell pepper that are all artfully woven together in the glass. The freshness and balance on the mid-palate really entices as layers of cocoa powder covered red cherry, cigar box and shades of wild blackberry preserves with espresso bean all come together marvelously. This is seriously elegant stuff. Singing even in its youth, the 2016 La Jota Merlot will cellar well for decades to come. Drink 2021-2040- 95
2016 La Jota ‘W.S. Keyes Vineyard’ Merlot- A vineyard with some serious history, Winfield S. Keyes first planted grapes in this small vineyard in 1888, as the rocky soils reminded him of his visits to the Mediterranean islands near Sicily. The 2016 ‘W.S. Keyes Vineyard’ Merlot shows lovely tar and cigar ash tones with boysenberry preserves and dense mocha aromatics that all take shape in the glass. The palate is soft and generous, with a silky mouthfeel. The seamless quality of the wine as well as varietal typicity, truly shines. Broad-shouldered, viscous and intense, yet elegant, this beautiful wine is absolutely singing in its youth and has a long life ahead of it. Try to resist this stunning Merlot for at least two more years. Drink 2022-2045- 96