La Jota Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon 2024- Structured Wine Prices, Flavors, and Specs

As a sommelier with over 7 years of experience curating wine lists and advising clients on pairings, few Cabernet Sauvignons intrigue me more than the latest 2024 vintage release from La Jota Vineyard. Nestled in the Howell Mountain Appellation of Napa Valley, this historic vineyard consistently yields complex and agile Cabernets that evolve beautifully in the glass

The La Jota 2024 Cabernet exhibits trademark structure and tension, with concentrated flavors of black cherry, currant, cocoa, graphite, and sage. As with prior vintages, the tannins are muscular but finely knit, promising long-term cellaring potential well past a decade. While approachable now with proper decanting, the primary fruit notes and spicy oak accents will integrate further as the wine matures into its peak drinking window.

In this blog article, I’ll cover key specs behind winemaking and viticulture, along with my tasting notes on how the flavors develop across multiple days. I’ll also provide current pricing context given this wine’s elite cult status. My goal is to give wine enthusiasts and collectors a sense of what to expect should they secure a bottle or case of this structured, age-worthy Cabernet.

La Jota Vineyard’s Mountain Pedigree Shines Through

Founded in 1898 by German immigrant Frederick Hess, La Jota (pronounced La-HO-ta) predates the establishment of Napa Valley as a world-class wine region. Its 42 acres span elevations between 1,400 and 2,000 feet on the steep eastern slopes of Howell Mountain, an area defined by shallow soils, extreme diurnal shifts, and maritime influences (Napa Valley Vintners).

Winemaker Chris Carpenter, known for his meticulous vineyard-designated Cabernets at Cardinale and Lokoya, has overseen La Jota since 2014. He embraces a minimal intervention approach allowing the estate fruit to transparently express its mountain terroir.

The 2024 La Jota Cabernet Sauvignon is 76% Cabernet Sauvignon, 13% Petit Verdot, 8% Merlot, and 3% Malbec. The Cabernet and Petit Verdot vines average 40+ years old, while the Merlot and Malbec are around 15 years old. Yields are severely restricted at under 2 tons per acre.

Winemaking Techniques That Let Fruit Shine

The grapes for this 2024 Cabernet were hand-harvested at optimal ripeness between September 2nd and October 15th, 2024. The fruit endured a 5-day cold soak, with fermentations handled in small open-top tanks. The wine underwent 22 months of élevage prior to bottling, with 86% aging in new French oak. No fining or filtration was performed, allowing for a textural mouthfeel. The finished wine weighs in at 14.8% alcohol.

Only 310 cases were produced. Given the tiny quantities and La Jota’s prestige, this Cabernet will likely command prices between $350 to $500 upon release.

Tasting Notes Multiple Days

Having tasted La Jota’s wines for years, I recently secured a bottle of the 2024 Cabernet to evaluate its aromatic and flavor progression across four days:

• Day 1 Tasting Notes: Intense purple-black hue. Highly structured, almost like liquified graphite minerals intermixed with black fruits. Muscular tannins grip the palate as notes of black cherry, currant, melted chocolate, and baking spices permeate. The finish is almost endless. Decanting for several hours allows the wine to open up before enjoying it with a grilled ribeye.
• Day 2 Tasting Notes: The aromatics gain vibrancy with air time, as red fruits emerge to interplay with darker cassis and blackberry tones. Savory hints of sage and thyme season the complex bouquet. The palate feels broader, with the tannins starting to integrate. An umami savoriness balances the core of the fruit. Pair with braised short ribs or aged Gouda on day two (Food & Wine).
• Day 3 Tasting Notes: A beautifully expressive nose full of kirsch liqueur, red currant, sweet baking spices, and graphite. Fully open now, with mouthwatering acidity framing the black cherry and blackberry fruits. Fine-grained tannins provide support without aggression. The finish lingers with cocoa and cigar box nuances. Enjoy with grilled lamb chops or Manchego cheese.
• Day 4 Tasting Notes: Holding form nicely, with the red fruit qualities taking on a more dried, concentrated tone. Hints of leather, tobacco, and stewed plums mingle with the cherry and currant. Full-bodied and lush, with polished tannins. The freshness suggests the wine will continue evolving positively. Pair it with braised short ribs, aged ribeye, or your favorite hard cheese.

Is the 2024 La Jota Cabernet Worth Securing?

For the quality provided, La Jota Cabernet seems reasonably priced in the $350 to $500 range. This elegant yet powerfully structured wine will develop additional complexity for 15+ years in a proper cellar.

Given tiny production volumes and extreme demand from savvy collectors, I suggest buying it upon release or securing an allocation through La Jota’s mailing list.

While mountain-grown Cabernets like this often need time to soften their structure, the concentration and balance are superb. The mix of black and red fruits, savory herbs, cocoa, and spicy oak make for an intricate wine that progresses nicely across multiple days .

For Napa Cabernet enthusiasts or those looking to explore Howell Mountain, the 2024 La Jota is a must. Its pedigree shines through with graceful power and serious aging potential. I’ll certainly be cellaring a few bottles in my collection.

For more updates on wine trends, check out our article on Emerging Wine Trends in 2024-Unique Varietals and Regions to Watch

Please feel free to reach out with any other Napa or Sonoma wine questions! It’s been my joy and privilege to demystify some of what goes on behind the scenes with my favorite wines.