2023 La Jota Vineyard Cabernet Franc Howell Mountain
Originally founded in 1898 by Swiss immigrant Frederick Hess. This historic site is now the canvas for Chris Carpenter to create more masterpieces. The stark volcanic rock soils and unique micro climate gives the Cab Franc here a density and richness that is hard to beat. Dark fruit and juicy red plum with added complexity of Asian spice and coffee lead to a long finish on supple tannins. Get this high scoring (Decanter 99pts!) bottle before our allocation runs out!
Decanter
Cabernet Franc has been made continuously at La Jota Vineyard Co. since 1976, notes winemaker Chris Carpenter. As the wine’s popularity has grown, additional Cabernet Franc vines have been planted at both the Keyes Vineyard and La Jota estate vineyards. The 2023 is a 100% Cabernet Franc, aged for 22 months in 60% new French oak. The wine is ultra-polished and supremely suave, brimming with energy and drive. Pure blackberry and black cherry fruit sit at the core, lifted by blue-skinned fruit aromatics, high-toned sagebrush notes, and accents of smoked paprika and dried thyme. The concentration is positively potent, supported by ultra-fine, immensely powerful tannins and a strikingly mineral finish of exceptional length. There is a saline intensity to the mineral character, and while the tannins are formidable, they are also refined and seamlessly integrated, making the wine remarkably drinkable in its youth, yet clearly destined to age gracefully and develop extraordinary complexity over time in the cellar.