October 21, 2021 - Wine Spectator 40th Anniversary; 10/21/2021-10/23/2021 (Marriott Marquis): Bigger and bolder and very alive and somehow doesn't quite put me off the way the Promontory right before did.
September 30, 2021 - Howell Mountain Dreamin': This fulsome and integrated Cabernet turns the Dunn up a notch - more fruit, more tannin, more body, but still the same sense of wildness and freshness that make Howell Mountain such a special place. A little darker in color than the Dunn and more full in body, the Lokoya offers aromas of boysenberry, pencil lead, rosemary, and trail dust (think warm summer day, the dirt on your boots). The flavors are more forward, with notes of blueberry, cranberry, cocoa powder, and thyme, with a still dry but more silky mouthfeel that lingers pleasantly (i.e., no granola here, just subtle ripeness). Maybe this is the more ripe vintage, but it an incredible wine. 14.9% alcohol. 95+ at the moment, with upside in 2023 or later.
September 5, 2020 - Our favorite wine of the night from a recent tasting dinner, pre-covid. Deep aromatics, lots of flavor up front then a little racy and then a long finish. Worthy of a cult cab status. Being mountain fruit, the big weight of lush fruit is excellent yet balanced out overall. Nice.
November 10, 2018 - Spear mint opening on nose, dark fruits and pepper, still lot of potential for aging
January 13, 2018 - Winorama: A winter in Wineland II; 1/6/2018-1/14/2018 (Portland, Eureka, Napa): A wine that was poured at our first visit to Lokoya as a current vintage so funny to see it now in the library pulls. Almost a sweet black fruit character like a jam or compote, but not over the top and balanced by a big spice cabinet. Really a pretty wine and again on the young side. Tasty.
June 5, 2016 - Johnny's Bachelor Weekend.
Dinner at Press.
Elegant, expressive soy and balsamic elements.
A little reductive with molasses and leather.
Palate is rich and lush. Lots of everything going on.
Tannins and dense. Still young.
February 17, 2016 - The wine is dark purple to a ruby-clear rim. The nose is clean with cassis, blueberry, tobacco, and hints of anise and vanilla. In the mouth, waves of dark fruits, dark cherry, rocks, and spice. Medium plus acidity and tannin. Long finish. Huge wine with many years left. Decanted for 4 hours before.
September 24, 2013 - I love Howell Mountain and this was just about perfect. For a Napa cabernet it just doesn't get much better. The tannins were massive and this should be kept in the cellar for another 10-15 yrs but what made this so amazing is that you could open this for 10-12 hrs and then drink it today and it was still AMAZING! Wow, fig, graphite, anise and plum on the nose. Just a mouthful of beautiful fruit with ripe rich tannins and nice acidity. Just ridiculous. Awesome cab.