Anakota Cabernet Sauvignon ‘Helena Montana Vineyard’ 2018

Introduction

The 2018 Helena Montana is focused and powerful on the nose, showing ripe red and black currant and a subtle frame of sweet baking spices. The palate is a tour de force of varied fruit and non-fruit flavours wrapped around a powerful core, teeming with firm tannin and juicy acidity.

99 Points – Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate

Made from 100% Cabernet Sauvignon, the 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon Helena Dakota Vineyard was aged for 12 months in 100% new French oak. Deep garnet-purple in colour, it has a profound yet slightly broody nose to begin, slowly unfurling to reveal wonderfully fragrant notes of wild blueberries, black cherries, dark chocolate and warm cassis, followed by nuances of garrigue, violets, tar and licorice plus a touch of wet stones. Medium to full-bodied, the palate has gorgeous velvety tannins and finely knit freshness supporting generous black and blue fruits, finishing very long and fragrant. Wow. 1,000 cases were made.

97 Points – Jeb Dunnuck

The 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon Helena Montana Vineyard hails from a single vineyard in Knights Valley located at 950 feet in elevation. It has a brilliant nose of savoury red and black currants, dried herbs, saddle leather, and tobacco, with a decidedly Bordeaux-like vibe in both its aromas and flavours. Medium to full-bodied and nicely concentrated, with ripe tannins on the palate, this is a serious, captivating, incredibly impressive Cabernet that will shine for at least two decades. You could put this beauty in a lineup of First Growth Bordeaux, and it would do just fine.

94 Points – James Suckling

Lots of pine and walnuts with gravel and dark fruit on the nose. Its very fine-tannined with nice austerity and a dusty texture. Long and juicy. It needs to soften. Better in a year or two. Try after 2023.