97-Points by Decanter.
The 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon is a classic Mount Veeder wine loaded with strong savory and mineral accents. Black fruit, graphite menthol and licorice lend complexity to this huge, explosive Cabernet Sauvignon. The tannins are pretty fierce at this stage, so readers should plan on being patient.
Blend: 89% Cabernet Sauvignon, 4.5% Merlot, 3% Cabernet Franc, 2% Malbec, 1.5% Petit Verdot
 
96-Points by James Suckling
Blackberries and black currants with grape skin, lead pencil and pinecone. Full-bodied with round tannins and juicy fruit. Tamed tannins. Bright finish. Classy and authentic. Beautiful now but will age beautifully.
 
Winemaker Notes ~ Chris Carpenter
The 2019 Cabernet shows notes of black cherry, blueberry, and Asian spice. On the palate, the wine has a profound density of fruit that is structured by fine tannins while the perfectly balanced acidity elongates a long savory finish.
 
HISTORY
Mt. Brave Vineyard sits high atop Mt. Veeder at an elevation of 1,400 to 1,800 feet. Mt. Veeder has been planted with wine
grapes since the early 1860s by winemaking pioneers such as Charles Krug, Agoston Haraszthy, Frederick Hess and William S.
Keyes, and wines from Mt. Veeder achieved recognition as early as the Paris Exposition of 1900. The parcel that became the
Mt. Brave Vineyard, in the northern reaches of the Mt. Veeder American Viticultural Area (AVA), was originally purchased in
1841 before the Gold Rush and the Civil War.
VINEYARD
High-elevation winegrowing requires a painstaking, labor intensive approach. Thin, rocky soils and steep slopes make water retention a challenge and erosion a threat, but the vines benefit from the struggle and produce concentrated flavors. The high altitude keeps midday temperatures cooler than those in the valley below, while the position above the fog line gives
grapes longer daily exposure to sunlight. This regularly extends the growing season into November, and the increased hang-time results in peak ripeness and full varietal complexity.
WINEMAKING
We hand-harvested grapes during cool morning hours as the fog blanketed the valley below. The wine was fermented in
stainless steel and then underwent native malolactic fermentation in barrels to round acidity and softly integrate the vanillin character of French oak (80% new). After barrel aging for 21 months, the wine was bottled without fining or filtration.
 
Chris Carpenter named Master Winemaker of the Year 2024. The winemaker, representing Mt. Brave and Hickinbotham Wines, took the top prize as db unveiled the new edition of the Master Winemaker 100. Chris Carpenter, whose work spans several properties and two continents, was the headline winner at last night’s Master Winemakers awards ceremony. The event, held at VinExpo Paris, declared him Master Winemaker of the Year 2024, in a wide field that rewarded producers all around the world. Carpenter, along with 99 other winemakers, features in the 2024 edition of the Master Winemaker 100. The volume, published by the drinks business, rewards the very best winemakers, as determined by the Global Wine Masters competitions.
Lokoya Winery is a premium wine producer of Napa Valley, concentrating on wines made from Cabernet Sauvignon. Total production each vintage is limited and noted American critic Robert Parker has regularly dished out 100-point scores for the wines. Both of these factors have cemented Lokoya's cult status and have led to some very high prices.
Lokoya produces four varietal Cabernet Sauvignon wines, sourced from distinct hillside sites on Howell Mountain, Mount Veeder, Spring Mountain and Diamond Mountain. Each of the four is vinified in the same way with the intention being to showcase the terroir of each site. The wines are fermented with native yeasts and are aged in French oak for 18-22 months prior to being bottled unfined and unfiltered.
The Mount Veeder property sits at 1800 feet (550 meters) above sea level and has distinct volcanic soils, which contribute a strong mineral character in the wine. The Howell Mountain property at 1900ft (580m) above sea level has a mix of sandstone, red clay, and conifer biomatter soils. It creates a dense wine with a dark fruit and a herbaceous profile.
Across the valley, the Spring Mountain property sits at 1600ft (490m) above sea level with sedimentary soils. The wines from this property tend to have a more floral quality. Finally, Diamond Mountain in the northern part of Napa Valley ranges in altitude from 1000-1800ft (300-550m), with a mix of volcanic and loam soils. The tannins found in this wine tend to be softer than some of Lokoya's other offerings.
The winery was founded in 1995 by Jess Jackson of Jackson Family Wineries, and is named for the Native American tribe that inhabited what is now Mount Veeder in the Mayacamas Mountain range on the western side of Napa Valley.