Reviews & Ratings

2012 La Jota Merlot "Howell Mountain"

Winery: La Jota

Vintage: 2012

Wine Name/Vineyard: "Howell Mountain"

Wine Category: Merlot

Grape blend: 100% Merlot

Bottle size: 750 ml

Region: Howell Mountain

State or country: CA

Price: $75

Cases produced: 635

KWG Score: 92.3 (based on 3 reviews)

Ken's Wine Rating: Very Good+ (93)

Review date: January 28, 2016

Wine Review: This pitch black colored Merlot opens with a fragrant blueberry bouquet with hints of blackberry. On the palate, this wine is full bodied, rich and very concentrated for a Merlot. The flavor profile is a very ripe blackberry jam with notes of mild minerality and blueberry. I also detected hints of oak and coffee. The finish is very dry and its dusty tannins and fruit flavors stick around and linger for quite a long time. This Merlot is a big boy and will appeal to Barossa Shiraz fans. I would decant it and serve it with a 100 day aged prime ribeye from Grill 23. Enjoy - Ken

Winemaker Notes: The 2012 growing season was near perfect, with ideal spring budbreak and warm, steady days balanced by cool nights. Our 2012 Merlot has deep-black-cherry and milk-chocolate character accented with intriguing hints of rosemary. The complex aromas and flavors carry over a lush middle and through the long, satisfying finish.

Buy it: Use 1000 Corks to find stores that sell La Jota 2012 Howell Mountain Merlot.