La Jota Merlot Howell Mountain 2019 750 ML

La Jota Vineyard Co. has deep roots in Napa Valley’s winemaking history. It was W. S. Keyes who planted the first vines on Howell Mountain, back in 1888. Ten years later, and a mile down the road, fellow Howell Mountain pioneer Frederick Hess established the La Jota Vineyard-named after the property’s location on the Mexican land grant Rancho La Jota-and built a stone winery that still stands today. Both men won medals for their wines at the Paris Exposition of 1900, which brought instant recognition to Howell Mountain as a world-class winegrowing region. While growing grapes in the nutrient-lean, volcanic soils of these vineyards is a challenge, the rewards are undeniable. Highly concentrated flavors and muscular tannins slowly mature to perfection, while the cool winds, diurnal temperature swings and high altitude keep the grape acids impeccably balanced.