Region: Howell Mountain, Napa Valley, California

Vintage: 2012

Composition: 77% Cabernet Sauvignon, 8% Cabernet Franc, 7% Malbec, 5% Merlot, 3% Petit Verdot

History: La Jota Vineyard Co. is the historic Napa Valley winery founded in 1898 by wine pioneer Fredrick Hess. Staffed with the original stone cellar, La Jota produces a Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Merlot from its Estate Vineyards winery and the nearby WS Keyes Estate Vineyard, nestled deep in a wooded mesa atop Howell Mountain. With its windswept location well above the fog line, the climate is cool and even, with abundant sunlight. Austere volcanic soils force the vines to struggle, giving rich and concentrated flavors to the wines. In a timeless mountain setting, La Jota Vineyard Co. embodies a combination of site and soil, people of diverse backgrounds, and over a century of Napa Valley history.

Tasting Notes:

On the palate, the La Jota Cabernet Sauvignon has blackberries, rosemary, subtly Asian spices and a touch of Petit Verdot finishing with great weight on the mid-palate and earthy tannic structure, there is no doubt that you are drinking a Howell Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon.