96pts James Suckling

Lots of blackberries, blueberries and hints of crushed stones with some almonds and nuts. Full and velvety tannins with a juicy texture and a long and flavorful finish. Shows length and polish. A blend of 93% merlot, 5% petit verdot and 2% tannat. 674 cases produced. Needs time to soften and come together. Best after 2026.

95pts Jeb Dunnuck

The 2021 Merlot Howell Mountain checks in as 93% Merlot, 5% Petit Verdot, and 2% Tannat, with the levage spanning 22 months in 70% new French oak. This beauty has bright red and blue fruits as well as complex, spicy nuances of dried flowers, savory herbs, and graphite. It's rich, medium to full-bodied, has ripe tannins, and a great finish. It's concentrated, has a smoking good mid-palate, and will benefit from 4-5 years of bottle age.

94pts Wine Spectator

A fruit-laden red, with glistening mulberry, cassis and plum puree notes that drive through gleefully, flanked by violet and iris hints, plus a light sheen of anise and apple wood on the finish. Offers latent grip for the cellar. Drink now through 2040.

93pts Robert Parker's Wine Advocate

La Jota's 2021 Merlot Howell Mountain includes small proportions of Petit Verdot (5%) and Tannat (2%). Scents of mint, pine, black cherries, cedar and crushed stone mark the nose, while the medium to full-bodied palate is reasonably supple up front, then turns softly dusty on the long, elegant finish.

Winemaker Notes

The 2021 season began with very little rain, and spring and summer were mild. Interestingly, because the heavy wildfire smoke during 2020 decreased the vineyards’ exposure to sunlight, the vines were set up to give them lower yields in the new season. So for 2021 there is less wine but just phenomenal character. This vintage is a strong example of why Merlot belongs in the mountains. Notes of huckleberry, blueberry, walnut, dried flowers, and sage weave a vibrant, supple tapestry that goes on and on.