La Jota Vineyard Cabernet Franc 2021

All Cabernet Franc, with the core of the bottling coming from vines planted in 1976, La Jota's 2021 Cabernet Franc Howell Mountain harkens back to the terrific Cab Franc bottlings this estate bottled in the early 1990s. Complex and gently leafy, with notes of pine and red raspberries, the nose is enchanting, while the palate is supple and almost creamy in feel, medium to full-bodied, then moves into a long, elegant finish, capped by gently dusty tannins. Terrific stuff.

Aromas of currants with lead pencil, bark and dried mushrooms. Fresh herbs, too. Full-bodied, with creamy and firm tannins that are polished and give great length. Chewy at the end. So long. Made from 100% cabernet franc. 377 cases produced. Give this three or four years to soften and beyond. One for the cellar.

Darker red, blue, and black fruits, sappy spring flowers, graphite, and chalky minerality all define the 2021 Cabernet Franc Howell Mountain, a medium to full-bodied, ultra-pure, fine, graceful Cabernet Franc with tons to love.