We have the honor of inviting you to become one of our very first clients to have access to this wine. With it comes the satisfying pleasure of knowing upon delivery to you, it will be a welcomed tenant of your cellar, later to be displayed with admiration on your table. Words like sublime, resplendent, polished, perfect – they describe what you will find in a glass of this wine. I cannot emphasize more clearly that this might very well become a new favorite of yours, to be shared and to treat yourself to an ethereal, inspirational moment (moments if you decide one bottle isn’t enough). This will a bottle that you will want to open on special occasions or when you simply want the wine to BE the special occasion. This inaugural vintage Chardonnay notably has both refinement and swank. It impresses the connoisseur and engages the novice. And when a wine has the ability to make a tasting panel of wine professionals sojourn from notetaking, become engrossed in a prolonged study of its captivating, aromatic attributes, then go in for the anticipatory taste knowing it will satisfy with its perfectly-presented features - TRUST ME, you do need this wine.
From a winery on Howell Mountain established back in 1898, this pearl of golden-liquid precision is produced by the acclaimed La Jota Vineyard Co. Their fame and focus have always been centered around their celebrated, high-altitude vineyards producing excellence from three Bordeaux varietals: Cabernet, Cab Franc and Merlot. Until now. Many wine lovers are familiar with the iconic winery and the 100-point winemaker, but not until this moment has Chardonnay been a part of their storied program. It was Frederick Hess, a Swiss immigrant, who back in 1898 purchased 327 acres of the Rancho La Jota Mexican land grant to plant vineyards where he believed, along with other early Napa Valley settlers, that the remote, mountain-top location could produce outstanding wines. The abundance of wind and fog mingling with the rocky and shallow mountain soils created a terroir reminiscent of Europe. Frederick’s sagacious prediction for the unique setting’s ability to achieve wines of distinction was, in a word, precise. Nearly one hundred and a quarter years later, we are still enamored with the wines from this very property.
Chris Carpenter, perhaps most well-known for his acclaimed foursome of mountain wines under the Lokoya label, uses his wealth of knowledge to nurture the fruit hailing from a cherished vineyard block with historic pedigree. W.S. Keyes also held part of the Rancho La Jota land grant, planting vines and building a winery back in 1888, about a mile from the La Jota winery. There, the soils are lean, the drainage is good, and the vines are forced to struggle sending down deep roots, yielding small grapes possessed of deep, concentrated flavor. “This wine showcases the Chardonnay variety first and foremost, while bringing the Howell Mountain terroir to life. With screaming minerality, refreshing acidity, and notes of white peach, crisp pear, and freshly baked bread, this is a Chardonnay that is ready to drink now, but also built to age.” Chris Carpenter. For us, the fine points immediately uncovered and presented in the glass were those of a flawless, pure, elegant nature, with exceptional depth, and a finish highlighting its complex beauty. We love the evolution in the revolution of California Chardonnay: less oak, more energy and tension. If the thought of enjoying decadence in a glass of wine sounds alluring, undoubtedly you will be satisfied.
