La Jota Howell 2009 Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley Red Wine

The Wine Advocate
"The 2009 Cabernet Sauvignon comes across as gorgeous and round in its expressive dark red and black fruit, earthiness, menthol, spices and graphite. The firm Howell Mountain tannins are there, but the presence of Merlot (12%) helps to soften the wine. This is a gorgeous showing from La Jota and winemaker Chris Carpenter. Anticipated maturity: 2014-2024."Wine Advocate #198 Dec 2011 Antonio Galloni

La Jota Winery

This expression of cool Howell Mountain terroir comes from a selection of softer-textured Cabernet Sauvignon fruit. A small percentage of Merlot imparts plushness and broader tannins, while a dash of Petit Verdot from a small block near the winery adds intriguing spice character.
Dramatic and bold, this wine has been hailed a classic Napa Valley mountain Cabernet Sauvignon for many years. Combining power with elegance, our Howell Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon reveals excellent approachability and a lush texture.

International Wine Cellar

90 Points
Stephen Tanzer, International Wine Celler, May 2010
"(includes 15% merlot and 3% petit verdot) Medium ruby. Pure, reserved nose hints at cassis, dark cherry and licorice, with mineral and coffee nuances. Good density and texture to the dark fruit flavors, with complicating herbal and spicy elements. Finishes broad and sweet, substantial tannis nicely supported by fruit."

Type	Red
Varietal	Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Petite Verdot
Vintage	2009
Bottle size	750mL
Alcohol content	14.5%
Appellation	California – Napa Valley - Howell Mountain
Wine Advocate	--
Wine Enthusiast	--
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Other	n/a

Chris Carpenter, winemaker

Winemaker Christopher Carpenter's rugged, six-foot, five-inch presence fits right in with our rustic stone winery and the formidable firs, pines and oaks that surround the vineyard. However, anyone who knows Christopher and his passion for food and wine would describe him more as a modern renaissance man than a mountain man.

Christopher graduated from the University of Illinois, Champaign-Urbana, with a B.S. in biology and from the University of Illinois, Chicago, with an M.B.A. in marketing and international business. When he visited Napa Valley after graduation, he realized that as a winemaker he could combine his love of the sciences with his love of food and wine. After earning an M.S. from the Department of Viticulture and Enology at the University of California, Davis, Christopher worked at wineries and vineyards in Italy and California to broaden his experience with different soils, climates and winemaking philosophies. He developed exceptional skill crafting wines from mountain terroir, perfectly preparing him to become winemaker for the La Jota Vineyard Co. in 2005.