2008 Anakota Cabernet Sauvignon Helena Montana Vineyard

The estate’s 2008 Cabernet Sauvignon Helena Montana Vineyard wraps around the palate with serious depth in its purple fruit, grilled savory herbs, licorice, mint and white flowers. A rich, powerful wine, the 2008 impresses for its totally expressive, layered personality. At the same time, firm mountain tannins support the finish and add compelling vibrancy. This dark, brooding beauty is a bit of a brute today, but there is plenty of intensity and more than enough balance to make me think the wine will be delicious in another few years. Anticipated maturity: 2014-2020. This year, Pierre Seillan opted to show me the Anakota wines after his more famous (and expensive) Verite range, and once again, the Anakota wines fared brilliantly. For my money, these are some of the most compelling wines being made in California today. They are also remarkably consistent, as reflected in ratings that are quite bunched together. At the time of my tastings, the 2010 were still in tank and were scheduled to be bottled shortly after this tasting. Tel. (866) 606-5696

Deep ruby. Explosive, high-pitched aromas of blackberry, blueberry and licorice. Densely packed and sweet, with terrific inner-palate energy and violety perfume to the black fruit and mint flavors. Fruit-driven, high-pitched and quite long. Seems suaver and more energetic than the Helena Dakota.