Forget everything you’ve ever been told about the softness and approachability of Merlot. La Jota’s Howell Mountain Merlot is a beast of a wine that delivers layers of ripe blue fruits, chewy tannins and the heft of a Napa Valley Cabernet. This vintage shows notes of wood spice, graphite and cedar, with impressive heft and length. It’s built for the long haul and would benefit from additional cellar time.
La Jota Vineyard, Howell Mountain, Napa Valley (California) Merlot 2015
By Robert Whitley