The 2004 Cabernet Franc, which certainly had loads of brett under the previous ownership has been cleaned up nicely and is a soft, one-dimensional superficial style of wine in 2004. It is 95% Cabernet Franc and 5% Cabernet Sauvignon. I do think the Cabernet Franc that was planted on Howell Mountain by the original owner Bill Smith has great potential, but this is not one of them. This wine is fully mature and not likely to get any better.
The brilliant Jackson family winemaker, Christopher Carpenter, is slowly but surely resurrecting La Jota. Hopefully, it will get to the level of the other wines that he produces, most notably Cardinale and Lokoya. His first efforts at La Jota are works in progress, as these were fermented by others and only the final blend done by Chris Carpenter.
Tel. (707) 948-2640