2007 Lokoya Cabernet Sauvignon Diamond Mountain

The most limited production offering, the opaque purple-hued 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon Diamond Mountain displays classic, Bordeaux-like characteristics of cedarwood, tobacco leaf, creme de cassis, licorice, and spice box along with a note of minerality all presented in an elegant, powerful, full-bodied style with sweet tannins. Representing elegance and terroir allied with considerable power and purity, this offering is made from a vineyard planted in the mid-1970s. While approachable, it will be even better in 5-6 years, and should still be going strong at age 25-30. ||Jess Jackson, who has spawned some of California’s most talented winemakers, has Chris Carpenter behind the success of these wines. These current releases are the strongest efforts from Lokoya since their 1997s, 2001s, and 2002s. Production ranges from a low 200 cases for the Diamond Mountain, to over 1,000 cases for the highest rated cuvee, the Mount Veeder. All these wines have indigenous yeast fermentations, are aged approximately 21 months in new French oak, and are bottled with minimal clarification. They are made from what is essentially the best fruit from the remarkable array of vineyards owned by Jess Jackson.||Available through Vin Lux Fine Wines, tel. (866) 462-4641; Fax (866) 853-1707 Wine Advocate.December, 2009