La Jota Howell Mountain Merlot 2012
-
Robert
Parker
Product Details
Your Rating
Somm Note
Winemaker Notes
Professional Ratings
-
Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
There are 645 cases of the dark purple-colored 2012 Merlot (100% Merlot), which offers up sumptuous notes of mocha, espresso, chocolate, black cherries and blackberries. This plump, sexy, fleshy, succulent, full-bodied Merlot is already complex and delicious. Drink it over the next 7-10 years.
Other Vintages
2019-
James
Suckling -
Wine
Spectator -
Jeb
Dunnuck -
Robert
Parker
-
Wine
Spectator -
James
Suckling -
Jeb
Dunnuck -
Robert
Parker
-
Robert
Parker
-
Jeb
Dunnuck -
Wine
Enthusiast -
Wine
Spectator -
James
Suckling -
Robert
Parker
-
Robert
Parker -
Wine
Spectator -
Wine
Enthusiast
-
Robert
Parker -
Wine
Spectator
-
Robert
Parker
The wines of La Jota have deep roots in Napa Valley. Back in 1888, winemaking pioneer W.S. Keyes planted some of the first vines on Howell Mountain, and 10 years later his contemporary, Fredrick Hess, built a stone winery and established La Jota Vineyard Co., named for its location on the Mexican parcel Rancho La Jota. Both men won medals for their Howell Mountain wines in the Paris Exposition of 1900.
Today, La Jota Vineyard Co. proudly carries on this great legacy with its small-production mountain Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, and Chardonnay. All La Jota wines are sourced from the winery’s estate and from nearby W.S. Keyes Vineyard, and they capture the intense fruit and mineral complexity of these cool-climate origins.
As Napa Valley’s third most planted grape, Napa Valley Merlot shows time and time again its potential to produce exceptional results. Napa’s vaunted combination of climate, soil and the human factor of winemaking expertise lead to big, ripe, cellar-worthy and world-class versions.
Whether made by itself in single varietal bottlings or as an important role in Bordeaux Blends, Merlot continues a prominent role in this famous region. While Cabernet typically takes the lead role, Merlot’s contribution—even at 10% to 20% or so—is significant indeed. Often described as “the flesh on Cabernet’s bones,” Merlot lends a soft, round and plush character that beautifully complements Cabernet’s linear, full-throttle structure. Its flavors of plums plus subtle herbs and mint also dovetail nicely with Cabernet’s blackberry and cassis.