1995 La Jota Cabernet Franc

The 1995 Cabernet Franc is a knock-out effort that may be even better than the 1996. It boasts a black/ruby/purple color, as well as more structured aromatics with smoke, beef juices, saddle leather, and black fruits soaring out of the glass. On the palate, the wine reveals earthy, roasted meat, blackberry, and cassis flavors, with good glycerin, more noticeable tannin than the 1996, and a well-delineated, spicy, intense finish. The wine may take more time to round out when it is released, but their Cabernet Franc redefines the quality standards for this varietal. I am convinced La Jota is making the finest Cabernet Franc produced in California. I love this wine, and I am consistently reminded of how well it ages whenever I taste the 1986, superb since its birth. This is not one of the more delicate styles of Cabernet Franc, but it does have compelling complexity, as well as a rich, intense, concentrated character. Tel. (707) 965-3020; Fax (707) 963-7874