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2016 La Jota Howell Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon

Removed from a professional wine storage facility; Purchased at retail

Ends Sunday, 7pm Pacific

RATINGS

97+ The Wine Advocate

...gregarious crème de cassis, black cherry preserves and baked plums with touches of Indian spices, cigar box and charcuterie. Full, firm and decadently fruited, it has a fantastic foundation and very long, layered and expressive finish.

97Wine Enthusiast

...opens in coconut, chocolate and mocha. Structured tannins lead the way to generous toasted oak, clove, garrigue, tar and leather, a savory whirlwind of concentrated density and lasting beauty adorned in thick black fruit.

96+ Jeb Dunnuck

...bouquet of blackcurrants, blackberries, black cherries, savory herbs, bay leaf, and earth. It's medium to full-bodied, beautiful, elegant, has vibrant acidity, fine tannins, and a smoking good finish.

95James Suckling

...rich and tannic...with blackberries, blueberries and currant bush. Some fresh basil. Full-bodied, chewy and impressive. Burly and fun.

94Wine Spectator

Intense, with açaí berry, plum and blueberry flavors pumping through, scored with briar, licorice snap and fruitcake notes. The roasted apple wood frame holds all the elements together through the finish.

93Vinous / IWC

Powerful and vertical in feel...offers quite a bit of energy. A rush of blueberry jam, dark chocolate, licorice and grilled herbs give the wine its drive and pure power, while savory overtones add lovely aromatic complexity.

REGION

United States, California, Napa Valley, Howell Mountain

Howell Mountain AVA in Northeastern Napa Valley was the first of Napa Valley’s sub-appellations, earning its own designation in 1984, just a year after Napa Valley became an appellation. As the name suggests, the AVA is in one of the highest elevations in the area. Every vineyard in the appellation is at least 1,400 feet above sea level. Some vineyards are as high as 2,200 feet and because of their altitude most of the AVA’s vineyards receive more sun than vineyards at lower elevations, which are affected by fog from the Pacific Ocean and the San Pablo Bay. Howell Mountain was home to vineyards in the late 19th century, but winemaker Randy Dunn is considered the area’s most influential modern pioneer. Dunn moved to Howell Mountain in 1979, acquired property and began making exceptionally rich Cabernet Sauvignon. The AVA also grows Zinfandel, Chardonnay, Merlot and Cabernet Franc. There are 600 vineyard acres within Howell Mountain AVA.

TYPE

Red Wine, Cabernet Sauvignon

One of the most widely grown grape varieties, it can be found in nearly every wine growing region. A cross between Cabernet Franc and Sauvignon Blanc. It’s a hardy vine that produces a full-bodied wine with high tannins and great aging potential.