2005 La Jota Merlot Howell Mountain

The straightforward 2005 Merlot Howell Mountain (100% Merlot) offers scents of berry fruit, roasted herbs, underbrush, and a note of minerality. Drink this monolithic 2005 over the next 7-8 years. La Jota Vineyard Co., which made so many great Cabernet Sauvignon in the early nineties when Helen Turley was their consultant, is now part of the Jess Jackson empire. Getting these wines back to their previous high quality level is still a work in progress. The famed Cabernet Sauvignon Anniversary Cuvee is now called “Heritage,” and they have added a Merlot to the Available through Vin Lux Fine Wines, tel.(866) 462-4641; Fax (866) 853-1707; www.vinluxfinewines.com