Lokoya Spring Mountain District Cabernet Sauvignon 2018
(Spring Mountain District, Napa Valley, California) [JD 98+] [JS 98] [WA 97+] [WS 96] [VM 95] [DM 94]

About the Winery:
Established in 1995, Lokoya is a collection of four distinct Cabernet Sauvignons from four of Napa Valley’s most celebrated mountain appellations: Mount Veeder, Howell Mountain, Spring Mountain and Diamond Mountain. These limited-production wines are 100% Cabernet Sauvignon, fermented with native yeast, and bottled unfined and unfiltered, resulting in the purest expression of place.

Given the high elevation of the sites, the vineyards demand constant attention. The deep understanding of the vineyard trajectory in each vintage comes from Winemaker Christopher Carpenter’s years of expertise. Intervention is kept to a minimum both in the vineyard and in the cellar, leaving the fruit to express itself as naturally and eloquently as possible.

About this Wine:
Established in 1993, the Spring Mountain District appellation sits above the town of St. Helena on the eastern slopes of the Mayacamas Mountains, which separate Napa Valley from Sonoma County. First crafted in 2005, the Lokoya Spring Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon is primarily sourced from three vineyards: the estate-owned Yverdon vineyard (2,100 feet), the Wurtele vineyard (1,000 feet) and Spring Mountain Vineyard (1,800 feet). Cool daytime temperatures, deficient soil and sharply inclined vineyard terraces combine to create ideal growing conditions for Cabernet Sauvignon. The wines from Spring Mountain express a signature floral perfume, deep red fruit flavors and smooth tannins.

Ratings & Reviews:

98+ Points - Jeb Dunnuck
"The 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon Spring Mountain District is a monster of a mountain Cabernet that has a primordial bouquet of blackcurrants, smoked earth, chocolate, and graphite. While Spring Mountain wines tend to be more aromatic and complex right out of the gate, that’s not the case here, and this is going to need bottle age to round into form. Full-bodied on the palate, with a rich, concentrated mouthfeel, it has serious tannins, notable purity of fruit, and a great finish. With air, it picks up more and more classic Spring Mountain floral and exotic notes, and it’s flawlessly balanced, with gorgeous tannins and a great, great finish. This is a brilliant wine in the lineup and unquestionably one of the true gems from Spring Mountain in 2018. Give bottles 4-5 years and enjoy over the following 2-3 decades." (1/27/2021)


97+ Points - Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
"Made from 100% Cabernet Sauvignon, the 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon Spring Mountain was aged in French oak for 22 months, 92% new. Deep garnet-purple colored, the nose is a little closed to begin, slowly unfurling to reveal earthy/rocky scents over a core of black currants, blackberries and mulberries with emerging hints of pencil lead and green peppercorns. Medium to full-bodied, the palate has a rock-solid frame of firm, grainy tannins and bold freshness with loads of mineral suggestions intertwined with the black fruits, finishing long with some evocative floral notes coming through. 918 cases were made." - Lisa Perrotti-Brown (14th Jan 2021)

96 Points - Wine Spectator
"Starts lush, with a broad wave of cassis, boysenberry and blackberry preserves, but its mountain persona soon asserts itself, adding bramble, violet and sweet bay leaf notes while a strong graphite spine rivets the finish in place. All that and there's a mouthwatering feel as well. This should cruise in the cellar. Best from 2022 through 2038. 918 cases made." - JM (Oct 31, 2021)

95 Points - Vinous Media
"The 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon Spring Mountain is rich, sumptuous and exotic in its beauty. Inky red/purplish fruit, rose petal, spice and blood orange all build as the 2018 reveals its personality. The Spring Mountain is the softest of the Lokoya Cabernets, in relative terms of course, as all these wines require cellaring." - Antonio Galloni (Jan 2021)

94 Points - Decanter Magazine
"Shy on the nose at the moment, showing herbal, woodsy aromas of evergreen and cedar sitting atop endless black fruits. Texturally, the most rich and powerful of the Lokoya stable. Noticeably more drying on the palate but framed with a quenching acidity. A tad less nuanced and complex than the other Lokoya releases, but impressive all the same." - Matthew Luczy (15 Oct 2020)