2018 Lokoya Cabernet Sauvignon Mount Veeder

The 2018 Lokoya Cabernet Sauvignon Mount Veeder is a towering expression of mountain-grown Napa Cabernet, drawn from the sun-drenched western slopes of the Mayacamas Range. Sourced exclusively from the high-altitude Veeder Peak vineyard at around 550 meters, it brings together intensity, structure, and precision in a remarkably pure, single-appellation wine. Produced in very limited quantities (around 4,000 bottles) and lauded with top critical acclaim, including 100 points from James Suckling, this is a benchmark Mount Veeder Cabernet built for the long haul.

Tasting Notes
In the glass, this Cabernet is a deep, opaque garnet-purple, almost inky at the core, hinting at its concentration and youth. The nose is vivid and layered, opening with black cherries, black raspberries, and crème de cassis, then evolving into notes of pencil shavings, freshly turned earth, lilac, forest floor, and a touch of crushed rock. On the palate, the wine is full-bodied, muscular, and tightly coiled, delivering dense, powerful black fruit wrapped in a firm framework of fine-grained, almost architectural tannins. Dark berries, cassis, and black plum are lifted by mineral and earthy undertones, with savory hints of graphite and underbrush adding complexity. The finish is long, precise, and energetic, with a striking “firework” of earthy and mineral sparks that linger. Still very youthful, this 2018 has the structure and balance to reward patience: allow it 4–5 years in bottle to begin opening fully, and expect it to evolve beautifully for at least 25 years or more under proper cellaring.

Production
The Veeder Peak vineyard lies on the northern end of the Mount Veeder AVA in Napa Valley, perched on steep, sun-exposed western slopes of the Mayacamas Mountains at about 550 meters above sea level. Here, the vines struggle in volcanic, rocky soils, digging deep for nutrients and water, resulting in naturally low yields and berries of exceptional concentration and intensity. Lokoya has been crafting Cabernet Sauvignon from this site since 1995, selecting specific, carefully farmed parcels from the rugged, mountain terrain. The grapes are harvested by hand at optimal ripeness, with meticulous sorting to ensure only the finest fruit makes it into the winery. Vinification focuses on expressing place and purity, with fermentation designed to gently extract color, flavor, and tannin while preserving freshness. The wine is then aged for 22 months in French oak barrels, 94% of which are new, adding polish, spice, and texture without overwhelming the vineyard’s signature notes of blue and black fruit, violets, and powerful structure.

Food & Serving
This commanding mountain Cabernet pairs best with richly flavored, protein-driven dishes that can stand up to its intensity and tannic backbone. Think dry-aged ribeye, slow-braised short ribs, venison, lamb shank, or grilled porterhouse; for more refined pairings, truffle-infused dishes, wild mushroom ragouts, and aged hard cheeses like Comté or Parmigiano-Reggiano also work beautifully. Serve at 16–18°C (60–64°F) to showcase its aromatic complexity and structure. In its youth, decanting for 2–3 hours is highly recommended to help the wine unfurl and soften the tannins; as it matures, a shorter decant of 45–60 minutes will be enough to awaken its layered bouquet.

Producer
Lokoya is one of Napa Valley’s most coveted specialists in single-appellation, mountain Cabernet Sauvignon. Established in the mid-1990s, the estate was founded on a clear, focused vision: to capture the purest possible expression of Napa’s high-elevation terroirs through 100% Cabernet bottlings from distinct AVAs such as Mount Veeder, Howell Mountain, Diamond Mountain, and Spring Mountain. Over the years, Lokoya has gained a reputation for producing some of the region’s most profound and ageworthy Cabernets, regularly receiving top scores from leading wine critics. The Mount Veeder bottling, in particular, has become a reference point for the appellation, highlighting the power, minerality, and floral-inflected dark fruit that define this rugged, volcanic mountainside in Napa Valley.