La Jota Howell Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon 2011 (Napa Valley, California) - [DM 94] [VM 92] [JS 91] [WA 90]

Notes from the Winemaker:The grapes for our Howell Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon were grown in our La Jota Estate vineyard and our Keyes vineyard. La Jota vineyard is located high upon a volcanic Howell Mountain plateau overlooking Napa Valley. Our unique spot, surrounded by pines, firs, oak and madrone trees, is characterized by cool-climate terroir and winds coming up the canyon. We choose a selection of our softer-textured Cabernet Sauvignon vineyard blocks to give this wine earlier approachability, while capturing full expression of La Jota's cool-climate terroir. The Keyes vineyard, a mile down the road and with a very different terroir, provides a "pop" of bright fruit character and broader tannins. The Petit Verdot was harvested from a small planting near the winery. 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 an