Lokoya Mount Veeder Cabernet Sauvignon 2008  £390.00

Lokoya Mount Veeder Cabernet Sauvignon 2008

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.

Bathed in sunlight on the western ridges of the Mayacamas Mountains at the northern end of the Mount Veeder appellation, the Veeder Peak estate vineyard sits at 1,800 feet in elevation. Since 1995, Lokoya has produced a Cabernet Sauvignon from a selection of blocks situated on the steep, mountainous terrain. Struggling in this volcanic soil forces the vines to seek out nutrients and in turn produce berries with intensely concentrated fruit. The wines display defining characteristics of violets and blue fruit with powerful tannins and exceptional ageing potential.

Critic Review

Rating 97+

Reviewed by Robert M. Parker, Jr.

Source The Wine Advocate

Another blockbuster, the 2008 Cabernet Sauvignon Mt. Veeder, which has the largest production, exhibits a deep blue/purple colour along with notes of burning embers, charcoal, sweet black currant liqueur, liquorice and scorched earth. It possesses fabulous fruit along with full-bodied power, a voluptuous texture and beautiful density as well as richness. It is not far off the quality of the brilliant 2007. One of the stars in Jess Jackson's Artisans and Estates portfolio, Lokoya focuses on high elevation mountain vineyards in four separate Napa appellations. Winemaker Chris Carpenter has been the force behind these wines for many years. Production levels were very low in 2008 with the exception of the Mt. Veeder (approximately 700 cases). The magnificent 2007 remains the vintage of reference for Lokoya along with 1997, 2001 and 2002. However, 2008 is a strong vintage although the spring frosts dramatically curtailed quantity. Speaking of the 2007s, which I reviewed from the bottle last year, the scores they merited were: 2007 Diamond Mountain (95), 2007 Howell Mountain (97), 2007 Mt. Veeder (99) and 2007 Spring Mountain (95+).

*Product excluded from further discounts