2001 Helena Montana Cabernet Sauvignon

"The 2001 vintage marks the second single vineyard wine sourced from Helena Montana and the first single vineyard wine distributed to the public. The fruit for this wine is exceptionally concentrated, as indicated by the deep, dark purple color, and the rich, black fruit bouquet. Although black fruit also prevails in the full-bodied flavor, hints of chocolate and espresso are present. Remarkably soft tannins give this 2001 vintage wine a velvet-like quality. - Pierre Seillan, Vigneron/Winemaker

90-92 POINTS, Robert Parker, The Wine Advocate, August 2002
"...possesses terrific color saturation in addition to sweet, concentrated blackberry and currant fruit intermixed with underbrush and smoke characteristics. Medium to full-bodied, ripe, layered, and impressive, it is one of the finest Knights Valley Cabernet Sauvignons I have tasted. Given its opulence, it will be accessible young, and should age well for 10-15 years."

Sourced from estate-owned vineyards, Anakota is a collection of single vineyard, single varietal, Knights Valley appellation wines that personify the rustic elegance and spirit of rural Sonoma County. Situated on the flanks and foothills of Mount St. Helena (at the heart of a complex volcanic zone that erupted several million years ago) the Helena Montana Vineyard is brought to life as stressed vines struggle with the rocky soils and challenging climatic conditions to create small, intensely flavored berries.

Running from northeast to southwest on the eastern side of scenic Highway 128, this vineyard has diverse topography including rolling hills and steep benches with slopes of up to 30 degrees. It is separated from the Helena Dakota Vineyard by a pure mountain stream. Cool westerly winds are routed away from the vineyard by the juxtaposition of hills, knolls and trees. Further protection is provided by planting the vines perpendicular to the prevailing wind. This relatively warm microclimate produces ripe black fruit that makes wines with rich, pure and powerful flavors.

In addition to its unique topography, the soils of the Helena Montana Vineyard are also distinctly different from those of Helena Dakota. Yellowish white in color, it is firm, even hard, to the touch. This solid composition is actually sandy, gravelly loam that looks almost like solid rock. A stringent pruning process forces the vines down through the strata rather than allowing them to grow parallel to the surface, as they would do on their own. Still, the roots do not penetrate deeply into the earth which results in smaller and more stressed vines than those of neighboring Helena Dakota.

• 100% Cabernet Sauvignon
• 14.5% Alcohol
• 0.53 TA
• 3.73 pH
• Aged 14 months in 100% new French oak barrels
• 535 cases produced