Palate
Rooster Cogburn, one of the greatest John Wayne characters that ever graced the silver screen, and Howell Mountain, one of the great appellations in the wine world, are mirror images: hardly domesticated, barely controlled and rough around the edges to the point that most people would rather write them off than utilize what makes them great. The 2012 Lokoya Howell Mountain is no exception. Bracing minerality, blackberry, charcoal, a bay herb component and broad tannins make this a wine that you want to be sure is available at home or on the trail.
Growing Conditions
Along the eastern side of Napa Valley’s Vaca Range, Howell Mountain peaks at 2,500 feet. Since 1995, Lokoya has crafted a distinguished Cabernet Sauvignon from our estate vineyard on Howell Mountain. Surrounded by redwoods and towering pine trees, our W.S. Keyes Vineyard personifies the appellation’s cool climate and long growing season, challenging the vines to ripen. At a steep 1,900-foot elevation on a northwest-facing slope, the Lokoya block has soil that boasts a combination of large sandstone rocks, volcanic ash, red clay and conifer biomatter, lending itself to the density and texture of the wine while revealing an earthy and herbal perfume.
Harvest
hand-harvested, low yields of 2 tons per acre.
Bottling
bottled unfined and unfiltered
Winemaking
grapes pressed in wooden basket press
Aging
20 months in 99% new French oak