Edition 44 | November 2023

Hello Mountain Wine Club!

In the November shipment, we celebrate the 125th anniversary of La Jota Vineyard Co.
with some of our library favorites from Howell Mountain. To celebrate this historic
milestone, we opened our cellar to showcase the wines that represent a distinct piece
of history. The La Jota Vineyard lies high upon a volcanic plateau, looking east over
Napa Valley. Surrounded by pine, fir, oak, and madrone trees, the estate stands out
because of its cool, windswept climate and lean, volcanic soils. The high-elevation
sites we work with on Howell Mountain sit well above the fog line, keeping daytime
temperatures cool and nights warm. This temperature regulation helps delay harvest,
letting the grapes hang for longer and develop deep, complex flavors.

The 2014 La Jota Merlot is vibrant and powerful. The balance between nobility and
approachability are the continued hallmarks of the La Jota Howell Mountain Merlot.
Sourced from vineyards with pedigree dating back to the 1800s, this wine continues
to carry the torch of Howell Mountain’s greatness. The aromatics are lifted with plum,
huckleberry, and minerality leading the way. Bittersweet chocolate and dried herbs
add punctuation to an incredibly long balanced finish. Blended with 10% Petit Verdot,
this age-worthy beauty is impressively concentrated.

2014 was a growing season with excellent weather conditions. The Cabernet Sauvignon
is now drinking beautifully and beginning to show coveted hidden layers that are
woven by cellar time. The 2014 La Jota Cabernet Sauvignon has dark chocolate,
espresso, and ripe blackberry, with a hint of Petit Verdot. This wine finishes with a
great midpalate weight and earthy tannic structure. The wine is framed by broad
tannins and the finish carried by beautifully balanced acidity.
We look forward to sharing with you this wonderful selection of some of our favorite
mountain wines from our library. Enjoy!

Peace,

Winemaker Chris Carpenter