La Jota 2017 Merlot   

2017 La Jota Merlot Howell Mountain, Napa Valley
Wine Advocate
94 Points
Deep garnet-purple colored, the 2017 Merlot Howell Mountain reveals pretty baked plums, blueberry pie and blackberry compote notes with touches of cloves, star anise, cracked black pepper and black soil plus a waft of underbrush. Full-bodied, the palate is densely packed with crunchy black fruit layers, framed by very ripe, rounded tannins and just enough freshness, finishing long and peppery. Drink Date 2020 - 2038. Lisa Perrotti-Brown  31st Oct 2019