2005 La Jota Cabernet Sauvignon Heritage Release Howell Mountain

Community Tasting Note

Decanting Queen Likes this wine:

92 Points

Tuesday, April 9, 2024 - Talked out of the 2006 by the somm, now wish I had gone for it seeing other comments. But this was very nice, a bit closed at first but after 30-60
Min in decanter and glass it really opened up nicely. A bit reticent, a bit rustic, but balanced and integrated. Put on some weight with time and was a good accompaniment with steak. This was a case where the wine enhanced the food but wasn’t the star (rather than vice versa)

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14 comments have been posted

Comment posted by Mark1npt:

4/10/2024 9:29:00 PM - These old La Jota are so nice if given the time..........
Comment posted by Decanting Queen:

4/11/2024 4:51:00 AM - They seems to have just released a bunch of 03-06, I think that is the only reason the restaurant had them. They are called ‘heritage release’
It was nice to have a more mature option but with good provenance
Comment posted by Mark1npt:

4/11/2024 8:25:00 AM - Yes, I get the emails from LaJota all the time. I didn't buy any of this release. I just recently finished my last '09s. I hope they release more of them, however, their pricing of these library wines is quite steep.
Comment posted by Decanting Queen:

4/12/2024 4:44:00 AM - Interesting bc on the menu this was one of the most affordable choices (230 at a restaurant with a pricey list) so I was especially surprised when they brought the bottle and I saw it was a recent release.
Comment posted by Mark1npt:

4/12/2024 7:04:00 AM - That's VERY weird because I'm almost positive that bottle cost more to me coming direct from the winery, which is why I didn't purchase any. I think they must have mis priced it or sold it at cost at the restaurant?
Comment posted by Decanting Queen:

4/20/2024 5:42:00 AM - Maybe but they had the 2003-2006 priced roughly the same (plus or minus 5 for the diff vintages) and the Somm seemed to know quite a lot about the wine. 🤷‍♀️
Comment posted by Mark1npt:

4/20/2024 6:27:00 AM - Then the wines were probably pulled from either the Somm's or the owners private cellar to be sold through the restaurant. I don't believe the winery could or would sell that many library bottles/cases to any restaurant. Maybe I'm wrong?
Comment posted by Decanting Queen:

4/20/2024 6:49:00 AM - They weren’t library, it was a new release of those vintages, they called it heritage. Very recently bottled (from barrel
Or rebottled I don’t know). Not the same as the library bottles they might sell from the original release. I’m not sure why these would be so much less, I suspect they may have been a restaurant only bottling
Comment posted by Decanting Queen:

4/20/2024 9:02:00 AM - Ok so they do come under the library wines on the La Jota site. But they are special bottles kept back for 5-7 years. Looks like the 2008 is available now on their site. But earlier vintages are available in the 160’s now, probably purchased for less. 75 on winebid!
Comment posted by Mark1npt:

4/20/2024 9:14:00 AM - I thought they were library issue. Don't remember them being 'only' $160 when offered. Ba k in their day they were $65-75 bottles.
Comment posted by Decanting Queen:

4/20/2024 3:17:00 PM - The original releases in the 60-80
Range, the ones they hold back are more (eg 160). I was impressed with 230 on the wine list considering most $100 bottles were
4x on that list. Anyway, if you see them for a good price they are good.
Comment posted by Mark1npt:

4/20/2024 3:34:00 PM - Appreciate the heads up, but I've never seen any La Jota anywhere.....I still find it strange it was on their wine list.
Comment posted by Decanting Queen:

4/20/2024 5:49:00 PM - AMAZING LIST there. Southall Farm near Nashville. Highly reco.
Comment posted by Mark1npt:

4/20/2024 5:55:00 PM - Good to know, ty!