2018 La Jota Merlot Howell Mountain
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In general, 2018 was a great vintage for this variety, and the deep purple-hued 2018 Merlot is stunning stuff. Lots of cassis, candied violets, scorched earth, and graphite notes give way to a medium to full-bodied, beautifully textured, elegant 2018 with polished tannins, no hard edges, and a great finish. It’s going to evolve for 15 years or more.
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Jeb Dunnuck
Antonio Galloni, Vinous
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The 2018 Merlot is full of savory, mineral intensity that is so distinctive. Black cherry, graphite, dried herbs, lavender, spice and crushed rocks infuse the 2018 with tons of complexity. Far from an easygoing wine, the La Jota Merlot is a serious red that will benefit from cellaring.
Composed of 89.5% Merlot, 5.5% Tannat and 5% Petit Verdot, the 2018 Merlot Howell Mountain was aged for 22 months in oak, 74% new. Deep garnet-purple colored, it opens with earthy notes of truffles, tilled soil and mossy tree bark with a core of warm cassis, blackberry preserves and fresh plums. Medium to full-bodied, firm and grainy with fantastic freshness and loads of crunchy black fruit flavor layers, it finishes on a lingering mineral note. 970 cases were made.