2019 Anakota Helena Montana Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon

Anakota was founded by winemaker Pierre Seillan, best known for his Bordeaux-inspired blends at Verité, one of Sonoma's most acclaimed wineries. Anakota is devoted entirely to single-vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon from Knights Valley, a small appellation tucked between Napa and Alexander Valley. The Helena Montana Vineyard sits on the western slopes of the Mayacamas Mountains, where volcanic and chalky soils, high elevation, and cooling Pacific influence combine to shape wines with unusual power and precision.

This wine is crafted entirely from cabernet sauvignon grapes grown on the steep, rocky terrain of the Helena Montana site, planted at close to a thousand feet in elevation. The 2019 growing season brought a wet winter followed by warm, steady conditions, producing concentrated, structured fruit. After fermentation, the wine matured for about a year in French oak barrels sourced from numerous French forests, contributing layered, well-integrated spice.

The wine opens with dark fruit aromas of blackberry, cassis, and black cherry, layered with notes of cedar, dried herbs, clove, and a touch of dark chocolate. On the palate, it is full bodied and richly structured, with velvety tannins, bright acidity, and a long, mineral-driven finish. Its depth and aging potential make it well suited to grilled meats or hearty braised dishes.