1996 Lokoya Diamond Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon

Founded in 1995, Lokoya is another relatively new Napa Valley winery dedicated to the idea of making highly-limited production, prestigious Cabernet Sauvignons. Lokoya owns several vineyards in Napa Valley and also purchases grapes to make single-vineyard or single-appellation wines. The Cabernet Sauvignons produced by Lokoya are generally admired by reviewers and are usually available only by mailing list. The winery’s vineyards are in Howell Mountain, Mount Veeder, Diamond Mountain and Spring Mountain. Most of the acreage is planted to Cabernet Sauvignon, though small amounts of Chardonnay and Merlot also are grown. Annual production is about 2,200 cases.

Diamond Mountain District AVA is in the Mayacamas Mountains at the northwestern end of Napa Valley. The appellation is relatively high and the entire district is more than 400 feet above sea level. Some vineyards are as high as 2,200 feet above sea level. Because of their altitude, Diamond Mountain vineyards experience warmer days but colder nights than vineyards on the valley floor. Once volcanic soil, the terrain in the appellation has over time become less fertile, making grape growing particularly challenging. Nevertheless the district has attracted wine producers for more than a century. There are 500 vineyard acres out of a total of 5,000 acres. Among the highly regarded wineries here are Lokoya Winery, Diamond Creek Vineyards and Schramsberg Vineyards. Diamond Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc are generally firmly structured, rich and quite tannic. Chardonnay is full-bodied with apple and peach aromas and firm acidity.

One of the most widely grown grape varieties, it can be found in nearly every wine growing region. A cross between Cabernet Franc and Sauvignon Blanc. It’s a hardy vine that produces a full-bodied wine with high tannins and great aging potential.