La Jota Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon Howell Mountain 2012 – Exclusive mountain wine from Napa Valley

La Jota Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon 2012 is a powerful and elegant red wine from the famous Howell Mountain in Napa Valley. Here, high above the valley floor, the cool temperatures, volcanic soils and steep vineyards create wines with great concentration, structure and depth.

Howell Mountain is known for producing some of the most characterful Cabernet Sauvignon wines in California. The rocky and nutrient-poor soil produces small grapes with intense flavor. At the same time, wind and fog contribute to a slow ripening process that develops complexity and preserves the grapes’ natural acidity.

The 2012 vintage is known as an excellent Napa vintage. The result is a wine with dark color, deep fruit and an impressive structure. The wine shows both power and elegance, making it suitable for aging for many years to come.

Tasting notes

• Aroma: Intense aroma of blackcurrant, blackberry and dark cherry with notes of cedar, spice and light smoke.
• Flavor: Rich and concentrated with dark fruit, cocoa, graphite and elegant barrel.
• Structure: Dense tannins and fresh acidity provide great balance and ageing potential.
• Finish: Long and complex aftertaste with deep fruit and minerality.

Serving: Perfect with hearty meat dishes, grilled steaks, game or mature cheeses.

History of the house

La Jota Vineyard Co. was founded in 1898 by Frederick Hess, a Swiss immigrant who purchased 327 acres of land on Howell Mountain. Here he constructed a winery built from volcanic ash rock from the property and began producing wine from the steep mountain fields.

By 1900, La Jota achieved international recognition at the Paris Exposition, where Hess won a bronze medal for his wine. However, Prohibition in the US halted production and the area lay deserted for many years.

In 1974, the vineyard was revived when Bill Smith bought the property and planted new vines. Later, the winery was officially reopened in 1982. In 2005, La Jota was taken over by wine pioneer Jess Jackson and Barbara Banke, who continued to develop the property.

Today, La Jota produces small lots of mountain wines from their estate vineyards on Howell Mountain. The approximately 28 acres of vineyards are divided into three parcels – Hill, Meadow and Winery Block – each with its own unique character and terroir.

• Producer: La Jota Vineyard Co.
• Area: Howell Mountain, Napa Valley, California
• Grape: Cabernet Sauvignon
• Vintage: 2012
• Type: Red wine
• Quantity: 75 cl
• Contains: Sulfites
• Alcohol content: 15%