The 2012 'Howell Mountain' Cabernet Franc comes from a very small vineyard, the Winery Bloc Vineyard, planted next to the winery on Howell Mountain. Grafted onto resistant St. George rootstock, it escaped the ravages of phylloxera to become one of the oldest Cabernet Franc vineyards in Napa County. The wine itself spent 20 months in French Oak (81% new) prior to bottling. It offers intense aromas of red bell pepper, dill, red cherry and raspberry, which all come together in the glass. There are flavors of red bell pepper, anise, red cherry and black olive. The minerality and acid structure is impressive. This is very hard to resist right now but try to cellar this one for another year. (Best 2016-2030) - November, 2015 (OB)
Wine Specifications
- Report Date: November, 2015
- Producer: La Jota Vineyards
- Vintage: 2012
- Drinking Window: 2016-2030
- Estimated Value: $80
- Country: United States
- Region: California
- Appellation: Napa Valley
- Importer: NA