![La Jota Howell Mountain Merlot 2016 (Napa Valley, California) - [JD 96] [WS 95 &](http://artisan.wine/cdn/shop/products/lajotaMerlotHowell16-w-2_{width}x.png?v=1614112937)
La Jota Howell Mountain Merlot 2016
(Napa Valley, California) - [JD 96] [WS 95 & #37 Top 100 of 2019] [RP 94+] [JS 94] [AG 92]
Regular price $110.00 Sale price $99.99 Save $10.01
6-PACK PRICE = $97.99 per item (add 6+ quantity to your basket)
12-PACK PRICE = $94.99 per item (add 12+ quantity to your basket)
Notes from the Winemaker:
The 2016 La Jota Merlot encompasses all that is mountain Merlot with a structure to relish. Notes of espresso, dark chocolate, and toast follow ripe blackberry, minerality, and weight on the palate.
96 Points - Jeb Dunnuck:
"One of the top Merlots in the report is certainly the 2016 Merlot Howell Mountain from La Jota. This fabulous wine boasts a deep purple color as well as a true “wow” nose of blackberries, ripe cherries, spice, bay leaf, and ample savory, complex herbal notes. It’s medium to full-bodied, has a layered, balanced style, ripe tannins, and a great finish. Drink it any time over the coming two decades." - Jeb Dunnuck (1/31/2019)
95 Points & #37 Top 100 Wines of 2019 Wine Spectator Magazine:
"An elegant style, featuring lilting flavors of red currant and dried raspberry that show hints of cedar and paprika. Fine-edged, with savory richness midpalate. Dried green herbal notes emerge on the minerally finish. Drink now through 2026. 1,657 cases made." - KM (Issue Nov 30, 2019)
94+ Points - Robert Parker's Wine Advocate:
"Blended of 90% Merlot, 5.5% Petit Verdot and 4.5% Tannat, the deep garnet-purple colored 2016 Merlot Howell Mountain struts out of the glass with vivacious notions of preserved plums, Black Forest cake and blackberry compote with touches of baking spices, black soil, truffles and licorice. The palate is full, rich, concentrated and earthy with firm, grainy tannins and great freshness, finishing long and earthy. 1,657 cases produced." - Lisa Perrotti-Brown (29th Oct 2018)
94 Points - James Suckling:
4 Feb, 2019 – "This is a layered and round-textured wine with dark berries, chocolate and terracotta. Full body. Juicy fruit. Flavorful finish. Drink after 2021."
92 Points - Vinous:
"La Jota's 2016 Merlot is plush, rich and radiant, all qualities that can be enjoyed upon release. A dollop (4.5%) of Tannat and 5.5% Petit Verdot add explosive energy. Black cherry, grilled herb, pepper, new leather and mint all run through this plush, savory Merlot. This is very nicely done. Drink it over the next decade." - Antonio Galloni (Dec 2018)
The 2016 La Jota Merlot encompasses all that is mountain Merlot with a structure to relish. Notes of espresso, dark chocolate, and toast follow ripe blackberry, minerality, and weight on the palate.
Ratings & Reviews
"One of the top Merlots in the report is certainly the 2016 Merlot Howell Mountain from La Jota. This fabulous wine boasts a deep purple color as well as a true “wow” nose of blackberries, ripe cherries, spice, bay leaf, and ample savory, complex herbal notes. It’s medium to full-bodied, has a layered, balanced style, ripe tannins, and a great finish. Drink it any time over the coming two decades." - Jeb Dunnuck (1/31/2019)
95 Points & #37 Top 100 Wines of 2019 Wine Spectator Magazine:
"An elegant style, featuring lilting flavors of red currant and dried raspberry that show hints of cedar and paprika. Fine-edged, with savory richness midpalate. Dried green herbal notes emerge on the minerally finish. Drink now through 2026. 1,657 cases made." - KM (Issue Nov 30, 2019)
94+ Points - Robert Parker's Wine Advocate:
"Blended of 90% Merlot, 5.5% Petit Verdot and 4.5% Tannat, the deep garnet-purple colored 2016 Merlot Howell Mountain struts out of the glass with vivacious notions of preserved plums, Black Forest cake and blackberry compote with touches of baking spices, black soil, truffles and licorice. The palate is full, rich, concentrated and earthy with firm, grainy tannins and great freshness, finishing long and earthy. 1,657 cases produced." - Lisa Perrotti-Brown (29th Oct 2018)
94 Points - James Suckling:
4 Feb, 2019 – "This is a layered and round-textured wine with dark berries, chocolate and terracotta. Full body. Juicy fruit. Flavorful finish. Drink after 2021."
92 Points - Vinous:
"La Jota's 2016 Merlot is plush, rich and radiant, all qualities that can be enjoyed upon release. A dollop (4.5%) of Tannat and 5.5% Petit Verdot add explosive energy. Black cherry, grilled herb, pepper, new leather and mint all run through this plush, savory Merlot. This is very nicely done. Drink it over the next decade." - Antonio Galloni (Dec 2018)