WTN: La Jota Howell Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon 2011

Lockdown Wine #28. Bad cork snapped in the middle and it crumbled while trying to extract the rest. Most of it fell into the bottle and I had to sacrifice about a glass worth due to the cork bits. No big loss as this was just meh. Deep purple, youthful. Not much going on in the nose. Some sweet spice notes, black fruit. Flavor very subdued. Blackberry and currant but not much else besides. Rather high acidity and unremarkable finish. Was expecting more from a Howell Mountain wine. I don't think it was a bad bottle - no flaws aside from the cork that I could detect. Might just be closed. I have another bottle; maybe revisit in 3 years or so.

[Jenise]

Jay, if it's any comfort, I haven't had any luck with upper tier Napa 2011's either. Araujo, Philippe Melka's Gemstone, both in the last six months--duds.

Jay, if it's any comfort, I haven't had any luck with upper tier Napa 2011's either. Araujo, Philippe Melka's Gemstone, both in the last six months--duds.

Thanks, Jenise. That is comforting in a way, if a bit shocking as well!

[David M. Bueker]

2011 is a pretty crappy vintage for most, if not all, North Coast red wines. The Corison Cabernet is a happy exception. Not much else.