The 2019 Anakota Cabernet Sauvignon from the Helena Montana Vineyard is a well-regarded wine hailing from the North Coast region of California, specifically the Knights Valley sub-appellation in Sonoma. This red wine, produced by Anakota and sealed with a cork, boasts an alcohol content of 14.5%.
James Suckling awarded this wine an impressive score of 99, describing it as "incredibly spicy and aromatic with pumice and cloves" and adding that it "pops out of the glass." He also noted its full-bodied nature, marked by "soft, polished tannins" that contribute to its tension and creaminess. Suckling concluded that this wine is "all about class and breeding" and recommends enjoying it after 2025 (jamessuckling.com, 4/7/2022).
Jeb Dunnuck gave the wine a score of 97, highlighting its "most exuberant" aromatics, which include "candied flowers, cherry liqueur, sweet tobacco, and graphite." He appreciated its rich fruit presence on the palate, balanced by a "refreshing spine of acidity and great mineral texture." Dunnuck emphasized the ripe and well-integrated tannins, suggesting that while it is "delicious out of the gate," it will also benefit from aging over the next 20 years (jebdunnuck.com, 8/2/2022).
Similarly, Robert Parker's Wine Advocate rated the wine at 97, noting its "deep ruby" color and complex aromas that evolve over time to reveal "cassis, lavender, cured meats, chargrill, coffee, and loads of savory spices." The wine spent 12 months maturing in 70% new French oak, which contributes to its "lifted and silky" texture and "focused acidity" (Robert Parker's Wine Advocate, 7/14/2022).
Decanter gave the wine a score of 95, remarking on its powerful but approachable nature with a nose revealing "blackberry, cherry, black tea, and white pepper." The palate features "flint and minerals," contributing to a savory edge, while "acidity breathes freshness into this full-bodied wine" with an expansive texture and long finish (Decanter, 4/4/2023).
The Wine Independent rated it 96+, describing its "deep garnet-purple" color and "wildly expressive" scents of "creme de cassis, dried sage, iron ore, and cedar chest." On the palate, it is full-bodied with a "sturdy structure of ripe, grainy tannins" and a long, minerally finish (The Wine Independent, 6/8/2022).
In summary, the 2019 Anakota Cabernet Sauvignon Helena Montana Vineyard is a highly praised wine noted for its aromatic complexity, balanced structure, and aging potential.