2002 Helena Montana Cabernet Sauvignon

“The Helena Montana Vineyard 2002 vintage is a deep garnet color that veers into purple. The fruit is concentrated and bright with an initial raspberry fragrance followed by black pepper, spice and cedar. Elegant tannins and velvety mouth feel characterize this bold and complex Cabernet Sauvignon with hints of black currant, chocolate and coffee on a very long finish. Enjoyment is enhanced by decanting.” - Pierre Seillan, Vigneron/Winemaker

93+ POINTS, Robert Parker, Jr., The Wine Advocate, February 2005
“Possesses aromas of white flowers intermixed with spice box, licorice, black currants, raspberries, cherries, toasty oak, and background scents of volcanic/scorched earth. With lovely richness, medium to full body, impressive purity, and a long, heady finish, it should hit its peak in 3-4 years, and last through 2020+.”

90 POINTS, Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar, May 2005
“Ruby-red. Slightly medicinal aromas of black cherry, dark chocolate, licorice and menthol. Bright but lush, with enticing black cherry and blackcurrant flavors complicated by a floral note. Still a bit youthfully reduced, but broad and juicy. Finishes with a a subtle suggestion of chocolate truffle with marc.”

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
• 14.2% Alcohol
• 0.53 TA
• 3.59 pH
• Aged 14 months in 100% new French oak barrels