More About the 2019 LA JOTA HOWELL MOUNTAIN CABERNET SAUVIGNON: On Howell Mountain, beauty is earned. The soils are thin, the slopes unforgiving, and the climate cool; yet from this adversity comes the soul of the La Jota Cabernet. Each cluster ripened under intense sunlight and cooled by high-elevation breezes, developing a structure both formidable and refined. The result is a wine that speaks fluently of its origin: dark, resonant, and built for the long arc of aging. La Jota’s roots run deep into this mountain as well. Founded in 1898 by Frederick Hess, the estate has weathered booms, busts, Prohibition, and rebirth, all while maintaining its foothold on Howell Mountain’s most expressive soils. Today, under Chris Carpenter’s guidance, the estate channels more than a century of resilience into each vintage. His approach honors the site’s original philosophy: let the mountain speak first, then shape its voice with precision and patience. After several years of unhurried evolution in bottle, the 2019 now shows a harmony that only time can create. The fruit has deepened and integrated, while the tannins have relaxed without losing their mountain backbone, creating a wine that is open, expressive, and beautifully layered. It retains all the hallmarks of great Howell Mountain Cabernet, but with a charm and accessibility that make it stunningly enjoyable right now. Additional Review: "Gorgeous crème de cassis, plums, graphite, crushed stone and tobacco all emerge from the 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon, another rich, medium to full-bodied, concentrated, dense, and incredibly impressive 2019 from this estate. It opens up nicely with time in the glass, but there's enough depth and structure here to warrant a solid 2-4 years of bottle age." 94+ Points