October 7, 2016

LA JOTA Merlot 2013

(Howell Mountain, Napa Valley, California) $85

Atomic density is the middle name of wines from Howell Mountain, and this La Jota Merlot is no exception. It thunders out of the glass with vividness, intensity, and astonishing precision. What is most remarkable, however, is that the wine also possesses a sense of beauty and ease. For a merlot born in fierce volcanic mountain rock, it is surprisingly robed by soft finesse.

95 points

Available at La Jota

Why do some Australian red wines have a eucalyptus flavor?

A. Because early Australian pioneers historically added small amounts of eucalyptus oil to fermenting wine, believing it to impart health benefits

B. Because the species of American oak now grown in Australia takes on a slight eucalyptus flavor when the barrels are toasted

C. Because many vineyards are planted near eucalyptus trees, the leaves of which sometimes end up in picking bins and ultimately in fermenting vats

D. Because shiraz, Australia’s main red wine, naturally has a eucalyptus flavor

Eucalyptus trees are native to Australia, and many vineyards are planted in close proximity to them. The leaves of the trees contain an essential oil which itself contains the volatile compound 1,8 cineole, commonly known as eucalyptol. Eucalyptol has a fresh, cool aroma and flavor evocative of camphor and mint. According to the Australian Wine Research Institute, when vineyards exist near eucalyptus trees, the leaves of the trees often end up in picking bins, especially in vineyards that are machine harvested. The leaves both secrete their oil onto the skins of grapes, and some leaves may end up being fermented along with the grapes themselves. In a survey the Institute conducted of commercially available Australian wines, eucalyptol was found above sensory detection threshold in 40% of red wines.

Pisco

What Cognac is to France, pisco is to Peru – a brandy distilled from grapes, not grain. In fact, Peru is the birthplace of pisco; but don’t mention that in neighboring Chile, which claims the incendiary clear… Continue reading

LA JOTA Merlot 2013

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