2018 La Jota Cabernet Franc Howell Mountain

The 2018 La Jota Cabernet Franc Howell Mountain is a powerful yet finely etched expression of mountain-grown Napa Valley Cabernet Franc. Sourced from the elevated slopes of Howell Mountain, this wine combines intense fruit, firm structure, and lifted aromatics in a distinctly cool, high-altitude style. Produced in tiny quantities—around 3,500 bottles only in the best years—it is a collector-worthy red that showcases the pedigree of this historic terroir and variety. What sets this wine apart is its origin: vineyards perched between 1,400 and 2,500 feet above sea level, where vines share rugged volcanic soils with pine, oak, madrone, and coastal redwoods. Howell Mountain was recognized as one of Napa Valley’s first official AVAs in 1983, though its distinctiveness had already been praised back in the 1880s by the St. Helena Star as one of California’s most clearly defined wine districts. La Jota channels this history into a pure, 100% Cabernet Franc aged 22 months in French oak barriques (65% new), resulting in a wine of both mountain strength and aromatic finesse.

Tasting Notes
In the glass, the 2018 La Jota Cabernet Franc shows a deep garnet-purple hue, signaling both concentration and youth. The nose is immediately perfumed and expressive, opening with red roses and kirsch, followed by layers of ripe plum, redcurrant jelly, and mulberry. Secondary nuances of graphite pencil shavings, fragrant earth, and subtle spice add complexity and a distinctly mountain-grown, mineral edge. On the palate, this is medium to full-bodied, with tightly coiled, muscular red fruit at its core—think red cherries, plum skin, and wild berries—framed by firm, grainy tannins and vibrant acidity. There is a palpable freshness and tension that keeps the wine lively, carrying through to a long, persistent finish marked by earthy undertones, mineral sparks, and lingering floral notes. The structure and balance suggest excellent aging potential: while already enjoyable with a proper decant, this 2018 should continue to evolve gracefully for 10–15 years or more, developing greater aromatic complexity and polishing its tannins over time.

Production
The La Jota Cabernet Franc Howell Mountain is crafted from vineyards situated high above the Napa Valley floor, within the Howell Mountain AVA, where elevation and exposure play a defining role. The rocky, shallow volcanic soils, combined with abundant wind and cooling fog, naturally limit yields and promote small, intensely flavored berries, echoing the conditions of Europe’s great classic wine regions that first inspired La Jota’s founders. Harvest is carried out with careful selection to ensure optimal ripeness and purity of fruit, preserving Cabernet Franc’s hallmark aromatics and structure. In the cellar, the wine is vinified as 100% Cabernet Franc and then matured for 22 months in French oak barriques, 65% of which are new, adding subtle layers of toast, spice, and texture without overwhelming the varietal character or the mountain freshness.

Food & Serving
This structured, aromatic Cabernet Franc is a superb match for richly flavored, savory dishes. Consider pairing it with herb-crusted lamb, grilled or roasted beef, game birds, venison, or braised short ribs; it also works beautifully with mushroom-based dishes, truffle risotto, and aged hard cheeses such as Comté or aged Gouda. Serve at 16–18°C (60–64°F) to highlight both fruit and aromatics. For current drinking, decant for 1–2 hours to soften the tannins and allow the floral and earthy nuances to fully emerge; older bottles will need a gentler, shorter decant primarily to separate any sediment.

Producer
La Jota Vineyard Co. traces its roots back to 1898, when Swiss immigrant Frederick Hess purchased 327 acres of the former Mexican land grant Rancho La Jota on Howell Mountain. Drawn by the mountain’s cool climate, stony volcanic soils, and secluded setting—conditions that reminded him of Europe’s noble wine regions—Hess built a stone winery from volcanic tuff quarried on the property and crafted his first wines in redwood fermenters sourced from nearby coastal forests. Over more than a century, La Jota has become one of Howell Mountain’s emblematic producers, helping define the area’s reputation for powerful, ageworthy wines with distinct mountain character. Today, La Jota continues to honor this legacy by focusing on site-driven, limited-production wines—particularly Bordeaux varieties like Cabernet Franc—that showcase the unique energy, structure, and aromatic lift that Howell Mountain brings to Napa Valley reds.

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