La Jota Howell Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon 2011 (Napa Valley, California) - [DM 94] [VM 92] [JS 91] [WA 90]

La Jota Howell Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon 2011
(Napa Valley, California) - [DM 94] [VM 92] [JS 91] [WA 90]


Regular price $175.00 Sale price $158.97 Save $16.03
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DM94 VM92 JS91 WA90
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Notes from the Winemaker:
The grapes for our Howell Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon were grown in our La Jota Estate vineyard and our Keyes vineyard. La Jota vineyard is located high upon a volcanic Howell Mountain plateau overlooking Napa Valley. Our unique spot, surrounded by pines, firs, oak and madrone trees, is characterized by cool-climate terroir and winds coming up the canyon. We choose a selection of our softer-textured Cabernet Sauvignon vineyard blocks to give this wine earlier approachability, while capturing full expression of La Jota's cool-climate terroir. The Keyes vineyard, a mile down the road and with a very different terroir, provides a "pop" of bright fruit character and broader tannins. The Petit Verdot was harvested from a small planting near the winery.

Dramatic and bold, this wine has been hailed a classic Napa Valley mountain Cabernet Sauvignon for many years. Combining power with elegance, our Howell Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon reveals excellent approachability and a lush texture.

Ratings & Reviews

90 Points - Robert Parker's Wine Advocate:
The 2011 Cabernet Sauvignon Howell Mountain is a blend of 82% Cabernet Sauvignon, 8% Merlot and the rest Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot aged in 90% new French oak. Winemaker Christopher Carpenter, who is resurrecting this estate to its glory days of the early nineties, has hit pay dirt with this 2011. More charming than one normally expects of a Howell Mountain Cabernet, it possesses sweet tannin, low acidity, and lots of blueberry and black currant fruit intermixed with licorice, underbrush and foresty notes. Medium-bodied and approachable, this endearing 2011 is best drunk over the next decade." - Robert Parker (Oct 2013)

91 Points - James Suckling:
Lots of dark-fruit and tar character on the nose and palate. Full body with silky tannins and a dark-chocolate, berry and mineral undertone. A little more subdued than the 2010 but outstanding. Needs two or three years to soften: Try in 2016." (May 2014)

92 Points – Vinous Media:
“The 2011 Cabernet Sauvignon has aged quite well, although it comes across as a bit monolithic because of its super-concentrates style. Sweet black cherry, chocolate, espresso and copious new oak abound. The 2011 is well done in this style. At the same time, though, the wines belong to a time in the past when Chris Carpenter pushed extractions much more than he foes today.” – Antonio Galloni (May 2022)

94 Points - Decanter Magazine:
“Aromas of dark roast coffee, oiled cedar, bramble and blackberry. A delicious combination of plush fruit, energetic acidity and rusticity on the palate, with a surprisingly juicy finish. The wet conditions of 2011 instill notes of menthol and mint throughout, balanced with La Jota’s signature polish and grit. A blend of 82% Cabernet Sauvignon, 8% Merlot, 6% Cabernet Franc and 4% Petit Verdot." - ML (Feb 2021)