I was able to attend a 3-day private event in Napa, co-organized by a company together with the Wine Advocate. There were winery visits, dinners, lunches and a 2007 Napa Masterclass guided by Robert Parker and Lisa Perrotti-Brown MW. A really fantastic few days with great learning opportunity. Robert Parker was, as always, his down to earth, friendly self, spending lots of time talking with participants. I really adore him for not having become even a bit aloof after all the fame and accolades. Like his ratings or not, but that is classy!
You will notice from my scores that I have not given a 100 points to any wines despite having consumed the peak of Napa during this event. I find the Napa CabSav aromatically a touch below the 3 digit score. Also, some of them are too “sweet” for my palate . However, they are very consistent vintage in and vintage out, much more so than Bordeaux. I am of course nit picking here, but that is just my taste. So, feel free to mentally add 2-3 points per wine if you are a fan of riper/richer CabSav style.
Lokoya put on a very comprehensive tasting of their wines in their stunning location. It was already afternoon and some palates were a little tired. It of course did not help that Lokoya makes tannic wines, that some struggled with. I really liked the wines, they remind me of Dunn. A wine that does not always shine in its youth but the more with proper bottle age (15+years). The same can be said for Lokoya.
Tasting notes
2013 Lokoya Cabernet Sauvignon Diamond Mountain, 96 Points
During a tasting session at Lokoya with the winemaker and commercial director. Expressive nose of spices, pepper, earth, blue fruit, touch of coconut. Racy on the palate, rich with very good acidity, bold structure that needs to soften.
2013 Lokoya Cabernet Sauvignon Spring Mountain District, 95 Points
Expressive nose of dark fruit, pine, touch of red fruit. Big wine, the fruit is ripe, the acidity good through and there is a touch of minerality. I preferred the Diamond mountain aromatically though. Here the tannins are a bit softer though but still rather demanding.
2013 Lokoya Cabernet Sauvignon Howell Mountain, 94 Points
Expressive nose of dark fruit, pine, touch of pencil shavings, very similar aroma profile than the Spring Mountain next to it. Rich fruit but also here lots of taninns, drying finish. Aroma: 96, Structure: 93
2013 Lokoya Cabernet Sauvignon Mt. Veeder,, 95 Points
Expressive nose of dark fruit, lots of cassis, some smoke and meat. Big and bold wine here as well. Entry on the palate is great but then it starts drying out with the masses of tannins. Aroma: 97, Tannin: 93
2005 Lokoya Cabernet Sauvignon Howell Mountain, 95 Points
During a tasting session at Lokoya with the winemaker and commercial director. Nose of dark fruit, touch of dried fruit, licorice, gingerbread, the warmth of the vintage is visible in the aromatic profile. Lots of strawberry as well. Rich on the palate, the tannins are obviously a bit more tame than in the 2013 but still there is quite some dryness at the finish. In an acceptable range for me as a regular Bordeaux drinker but many of the women at the table found it too tannic.
2005 Lokoya Cabernet Sauvignon Mt. Veeder, 96 Points
During a tasting session at Lokoya with the winemaker and commercial director. The winemaker noted that 2005 was a warmer vintage. Expressive nose with lots of licorice, dark fruit, tobacco, great complexity here. Full bodied palate, good acidity and lots of tannins. A touch dry at the finish. Aroma 98, Structure 94.
2016 Lokoya Cabernet Sauvignon Diamond Mountain, 93 Points
During a tasting session at Lokoya with the winemaker and commercial director. What, 2016? Yes, 2016! This came fresh off the tank and puzzled many people at the table, since they have never attended an en Primeur tasting. Obviously it is way too early to rate this wine but I did not that the fruit here is awesome, rich and ripe, tannins also much softer than the 2013 in the bottle. Since the draining must be finished by now, I wonder where the rustic tannins come in in the Lokoya wines I just tasted. Is it from the oak? In any case, 2016 seems to be off a very good start here.
My summary for Lokoya is: The wines are really characterful and aromatic but the tannins are very rustic and lead to a drying finish of almost all the wines. They will need a lot of bottle time, so don’t try to open them in their youth.
Lokoya wines with their respective Parker Scores
View into the Spring Mountain down to the Napa Valley
Author: Christian Raubach, WSET III, FWS, WSG Champagne Master
November 2016