Lokoya Spring Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon 2018

The 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon Spring Mountain District is a monster of a mountain Cabernet that has a primordial bouquet of blackcurrants, smoked earth, chocolate, and graphite. While Spring Mountain wines tend to be more aromatic and complex right out of the gate, that's not the case here, and this is going to need bottle age to round into form. Full-bodied on the palate, with a rich, concentrated mouthfeel, it has serious tannins, notable purity of fruit, and a great finish. With air, it picks up more and more classic Spring Mountain floral and exotic notes, and it's flawlessly balanced, with gorgeous tannins and a great, great finish. This is a brilliant wine in the lineup and unquestionably one of the true gems from Spring Mountain in 2018. Give bottles 4-5 years and enjoy over the following 2-3 decades.

Made from 100% Cabernet Sauvignon, the 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon Spring Mountain was aged in French oak for 22 months, 92% new. Deep garnet-purple colored, the nose is a little closed to begin, slowly unfurling to reveal earthy/rocky scents over a core of black currants, blackberries and mulberries with emerging hints of pencil lead and green peppercorns. Medium to full-bodied, the palate has a rock-solid frame of firm, grainy tannins and bold freshness with loads of mineral suggestions intertwined with the black fruits, finishing long with some evocative floral notes coming through. 918 cases were made.

Starts lush, with a broad wave of cassis, boysenberry and blackberry preserves, but its mountain persona soon asserts itself, adding bramble, violet and sweet bay leaf notes while a strong graphite spine rivets the finish in place. All that and there's a mouthwatering feel as well. This should cruise in the cellar. Best from 2022 through 2038. 918 cases made.

The 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon Spring Mountain is rich, sumptuous and exotic in its beauty. Inky red/purplish fruit, rose petal, spice and blood orange all build as the 2018 reveals its personality. The Spring Mountain is the softest of the Lokoya Cabernets, in relative terms of course, as all these wines require cellaring.