Lokoya Diamond Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon 2018
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James
Suckling -
Jeb
Dunnuck -
Robert
Parker -
Wine
Spectator - Decanter
Product Details
Your Rating
Somm Note
Winemaker Notes
Professional Ratings
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James Suckling
Blackberry and blueberry with some dried chili and hints of pine needles. Currants, too. . Full-bodied and very focused with tight, fine-grained tannins that frame the fruit really well. Some violets. Great length and focus. Superb. Drink after 2026, but already so focused.
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Jeb Dunnuck
Coming from two estate vineyards consisting of pure volcanic soils, the 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon Diamond Mountain District sports deep purple/ruby color to go with a brilliant, full-bodied, seamless wine that’s going to flirt with perfection at maturity. Blackcurrants, chocolate, loamy earth, tobacco, and violet notes define the bouquet, and this beauty hits the palate with full-bodied richness, a voluptuous, layered mouthfeel, ample tannins, and a great finish. This is another magical, mountain Cabernet Sauvignon from this estate that needs a good 4-5 years of bottle age, if not more, and will cruise for decades in cold cellars.
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
Made from 100% Cabernet Sauvignon, the 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon Diamond Mountain was aged for 22 months in French oak, 93% new. Deep garnet-purple colored, the nose explodes with profound cassis, black plums and blackberries scents backed up by suggestions of espresso, black olives and bay leaves. The concentrated, full-bodied palate is jam-packed by expressive black fruit preserves and savory layers, supported by a firm backbone of grainy tannins and well-knit freshness, finishing on a lingering fragrant earth note.
Rating: 97+ -
Wine Spectator
Jam-packed with bright and juicy cassis, plum preserves and raspberry reduction notes, this pumps along nicely, with sleek licorice and graphite notes adding support. Flashes of sweet bay leaf and violet skitter through, and there's serious coiled-up energy on the finish, so a little patience will be rewarded. Best from 2022 through 2038.
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Decanter
Year in and year out, Lokoya provides a masterclass in crafting rugged mountain fruit into a svelte package, while always letting its essence come through. Their Diamond Mountain release is wonderfully perfumed and exuberant on the nose, with aromas of lilacs, fresh herbs and orchard blossoms. It is opulent and forward but with considerable lift on the finish. The tannins are prominent and fine-grained, with an impressively long and evolving finish.
Other Vintages
2019-
Jeb
Dunnuck -
Robert
Parker -
Wine
Spectator
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James
Suckling -
Robert
Parker -
Jeb
Dunnuck -
Wine
Spectator
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Robert
Parker
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Robert
Parker - Decanter
- Decanter
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Robert
Parker
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Robert
Parker
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Robert
Parker -
Wine
Spectator
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Wine
Spectator
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Wine
Spectator
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Wine
Spectator
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Robert
Parker
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.
Cabernet Sauvignon as lens, site as conveyor—the grape variety and winemaking for the four wines remain consistent, allowing the vineyard sites to shine with the climate, soils and sunlight all fully expressed in the glass.
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.
A noble variety bestowed with both power and concentration, Cabernet Sauvignon enjoys success all over the globe, its best examples showing potential to age beautifully for decades. Cabernet Sauvignon flourishes in Bordeaux's Medoc where it is often blended with Merlot and smaller amounts of some combination of Cabernet Franc, Malbecand Petit Verdot. In the Napa Valley, ‘Cab’ is responsible for some of the world’s most prestigious, age-worthy and sought-after “cult” wines. Somm Secret—DNA profiling in 1997 revealed that Cabernet Sauvignon was born from a spontaneous crossing of Cabernet Franc and Sauvignon Blanc in 17th century southwest France.
Diamond Mountain is the northernmost mountain appellation in the Mayacamas Range, on the northwest side of the valley floor, above the town of Calistoga. Defined mainly by elevation, vineyards are planted at 400 to 2,200 feet.
Diamond Mountain vineyards receive plenty of sunshine at these elevations and are typically above the coastal fog line. But given its western proximity, the area still easily cools down from early morning and late afternoon Pacific Ocean breezes. The AVA (American Viticultural Area) covers 5,000 acres but just over 500 acres are under vine.
Diamond Mountain soils, mainly weathered, red sedimentary rock and decomposed, volcanic ash, are infertile, quick-draining and produce small, thick-skinned grapes, bursting with chewy tannins.
Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Malbec, Petit Verdot and Zinfandel have great success here.
Like other sub-appellations in Napa Valley, the Diamond Mountain area had no shortage of pioneer winemakers. Rudy von Strasser led the effort for Diamond Mountain to acquire AVA status in 1999.