2011 Lokoya Spring 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.

Spring Mountain AVA is above the town of St. Helena on the eastern slopes of the Mayacamas Mountains. There is no actual Spring Mountain, but the name has traditionally been used for the area, which includes many streams and springs. Spring Mountain was awarded appellation status in 1993 and it includes about 1,000 vineyard acres. Vineyard elevations are high, from 400 to 2,600 feet above sea level. Because of the altitude of most vineyards, which are above the fog line, mornings become warm earlier than vineyards on the valley floor, though the afternoons are cooled by maritime winds. The result is an exceptionally long growing season. Cabernet Sauvignon is the most frequently planted grape by acreage, followed by Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Chardonnay.

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.