{"product_id":"2016-la-jota-cabernet-sauvignon-howell-mountain","title":"2016 La Jota Cabernet Sauvignon Howell Mountain","description":"\u003cp\u003eThe 2016 La Jota Cabernet Sauvignon Howell Mountain is a powerful, mountain-grown Napa red that showcases the rugged beauty and precision of one of the valley’s most historic terroirs. Crafted from elevated vineyards high above the valley floor, it combines intensity, freshness, and structure in a classically styled Cabernet blend built for both pleasure and longevity. This wine continues La Jota’s legacy on Howell Mountain, a district recognized as a distinct growing region as far back as the late 1800s and officially granted AVA status in 1983.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTasting Notes\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eIn the glass, the 2016 La Jota Cabernet Sauvignon Howell Mountain shows a deep garnet-purple hue, almost opaque at the core with a vibrant rim that hints at its youth and concentration. \n\nThe nose is immediately expressive and layered, with exuberant aromas of crème de cassis, black cherry preserves, and baked plum, supported by notes of Indian spices, cigar box, cured meats, and a touch of cedar and graphite. On the palate, this is full-bodied, dense, and richly textured, yet lifted by Howell Mountain’s natural acidity and mineral line. Ripe blackcurrant and dark plum fruit are framed by firm, fine-grained tannins and savoury undertones of tobacco, charcuterie, and warm spice. The finish is very long, deeply layered, and highly expressive, suggesting excellent aging capacity.\n\nThanks to its structure, concentration, and balance, this 2016 has significant aging potential. It can be enjoyed now with a proper decant, but will reward patience over the next 10–20 years, developing more tertiary notes of leather, forest floor, and dried herbs as it matures.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eProduction\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eSourced from vineyards on Howell Mountain in the Napa Valley, this wine comes from sites perched roughly between 1,400 and 2,500 feet above sea level—above the fog line and surrounded by pines, oaks, madrones, and coastal redwoods. The terroir is characterized by rocky, shallow, volcanic ash–derived soils, abundant sun exposure, and cooling mountain breezes, conditions that naturally limit yields and produce small, deeply flavored berries. The 2016 blend is composed of 77% Cabernet Sauvignon, 8% Cabernet Franc, 7% Malbec, 5% Merlot, and 3% Petit Verdot, harvested selectively by hand to ensure optimal ripeness and sorting. In the cellar, traditional Bordeaux-inspired vinification is used: careful destemming, temperature-controlled fermentation, and extended maceration to extract color, aroma, and structure, followed by aging in high-quality oak (predominantly French) to integrate tannins and add subtle notes of spice and toast without overwhelming the purity of the fruit.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFood \u0026amp; Serving\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThis is a serious, structured mountain Cabernet best matched with richly flavored dishes. Think dry-aged ribeye, lamb chops with rosemary and garlic, braised short ribs, venison, or slow-cooked beef cheeks. It also pairs beautifully with truffle-infused dishes, wild mushroom ragù, and aged hard cheeses such as Comté, Parmigiano-Reggiano, or mature cheddar. Serve at 16–18°C (60–64°F) for optimal expression. Decanting is recommended—at least 1–2 hours for current drinking—to allow the tannins to soften and the complex aromatics to fully open up, especially in its youth.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eProducer\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eLa Jota Vineyard Co. traces its roots back to 1898, when Swiss immigrant Frederick Hess purchased 327 acres on Howell Mountain from the historic Mexican land grant Rancho La Jota. Inspired by Europe’s great wine regions, he recognized in the mountain’s remote, wind-swept, volcanic slopes the potential for world-class wines. He built a stone winery from volcanic tuff quarried on the estate itself, and even fashioned the early fermentation tanks from nearby coastal redwoods. Today, La Jota stands as one of Howell Mountain’s benchmark producers, helping define the region’s reputation for powerful yet nuanced mountain-grown Cabernet-based wines. The estate’s long history, distinctive high-altitude terroir, and consistent critical acclaim have cemented its status as a reference point for serious Napa Valley collectors.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"La Jota","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":54255148728657,"sku":"GCW-MMUI-16002-1","price":169.95,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0874\/0614\/9969\/files\/2018_La_Jota_Cabernet_Sauvignon_Howell_Mountain_1.png?v=1783456689","url":"https:\/\/bottlehero.com\/products\/2016-la-jota-cabernet-sauvignon-howell-mountain","provider":"Bottle Hero","version":"1.0","type":"link"}