Lokoya Cabernet Sauvignon Howell Mountain 2019 (750ML)

100 JD / 98 DE / 97 WA / 97 VM / 96 JS

Coming all from the from the Keyes Vineyard on Howell Mountain, the 2019 Howell Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon (100% Cabernet Sauvignon) was brought up in 91% new French oak. Incredible crème de cassis, chalky minerality, iron, spring flowers, and black olive tapenade all define the nose, and It's full-bodied on the palate, with building tannins, integrated oak, wonderful sweetness of fruit, and a great, great finish. It opens up beautifully with time in the glass, and while it has classic Mountain structure and concentration, it also has a wealth of fruit and texture, and unquestionably offers pleasure even today. Nevertheless, do your best to hide bottles for 4-5 years if you can. It's a 30- to 40-year wine.-Jeb Dunnuck

Incredibly rich and opulent. Sumptuous aromas of ripe cassis, boysenberry, blackberry and mountain herbs. The incredibly vivid dark berry fruit – deep and penetrating – is accompanied by a tapestry of granular mountain tannins that are long and laced with a saline minerality. The finish reveals a plethora of pie spices, blueberry compote, chocolate and very fine oak. A powerhouse Cabernet that is pleasure-packed.-Jonathan Cristaldi, Decanter

Sourced from two blocks of the Keyes Vineyard at La Jota, the 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon Howell Mountain shows more caramel, barrel toast and mocha notes, derived from the choice of Demptos as the cooper. Cassis and blueberry flesh out the flavor profile of this full-bodied, rich, velvety effort. Mouth-filling and plush, it's broad and expansive in the mouth, finishing long and intricately textured.- Joe Czerwinski, Wine Advocate

In 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon Howell Mountain is entirely from W.S. Keyes ranch. A huge, statuesque wine, the 2019 possesses tremendous intensity right out of the gate. Inky dark fruit, gravel, menthol, licorice and spice build in an opulent, dramatic Cabernet that hits all the right notes. This is such a classic expression of Howell Mountain.-Antonio Galloni, Vinous Media

The purple fruit is prevailing, together with conifer, lead-pencil and ink-pot aromas, following through to a full body with layered, ripe tannins and lightly toasted oak at the finish. Give it three to four years to come around. Try after 2025.-James Suckling

Vivid, with açaí, boysenberry and blackberry puree steaming through, buttressed by a prominent cast iron note that lends a racy, driven feel from start to finish. A wine of fresh power. Best from 2023 through 2036. 1,100 cases made.-James Molesworth, Wine Spectator