2019 Anakota Cabernet Sauvignon Helena Dakota Vineyard

About Anakota and winemaker Pierre Seillan

Anakota is the high-end Cabernet Sauvignon project of Pierre Seillan, the French winemaker known worldwide for his terroir-driven approach at Vérité, among others. In Knights Valley, he creates wines that combine Californian intensity with the structure and precision of the Old World. Each vineyard is treated as a distinct "micro-cru," with a focus on soil, exposure, and microclimate. The Helena Dakota Vineyard, along with Helena Montana, forms the heart of Anakota's collection and showcases the estate's purest, most mineral style.

The Helena Dakota Vineyard

The Helena Dakota Vineyard is located on the western slopes of Mount St. Helena, at an elevation of 230 meters. The 12.4-hectare vineyard is characterized by reddish-brown loam, gravel, and iron-rich volcanic soils. Its southwest-to-northeast orientation maximizes sunshine and cool evenings, resulting in slow ripening and high aromatic concentration. These conditions produce wines with tense energy, minerality, and a characteristic iron note common to all Anakota wines.

The 2019 wine year

2019 was a balanced year with cool nights and warm, dry days. Early rainfall replenished the soil reserves, while the growing season remained stable. The harvest proceeded without extreme conditions, allowing the grapes to ripen perfectly. The result is a wine with pure aromatic expression, refined tannins, and a deep, mineral undertone. The balance between freshness and concentration makes this one of Anakota's most harmonious vintages to date.

Vinification and maturation

The wine is made from 100% Cabernet Sauvignon. The grapes were harvested individually and fermented in small stainless steel tanks. This was followed by 13 months of aging in French oak barriques, 90% of which were new. The careful maturation results in a powerful wine without excessive oak influence. The texture is silky and precise, with a long, mineral finish. Only 793 cases were produced, making this wine a rare edition.

Review by The Wine Advocate

The Wine Advocate awarded the 2019 Helena Dakota Vineyard 99 points. Erin Brooks described the wine as "exploding with violets, aniseed, and cast iron, with a deep core of crushed blueberries and black cherries." She emphasized "pixelated tannins, focused acidity, and exceptional balance," calling it "a stunning Cabernet Sauvignon with purity and lift, driven by that signature streak of iron across the Anakota portfolio." The wine is distinguished by its tension, purity, and length—a benchmark for Knights Valley Cabernet.

Color, smell and taste

The wine has a deep, almost opaque purple-black color. The aroma opens with violets, black cherry, blueberry, and anise, complemented by nuances of cedar, graphite, and warm spices. The palate is powerful yet refined, with intense fruit, silky tannins, and a precise acidity. The finish is exceptionally long and mineral, with a subtle note of iron and pure blackcurrant. This wine combines energy with monumentality, without ever becoming heavy.

Style and storage potential

The 2019 Helena Dakota Vineyard is a wine of structure and elegance. It already displays impressive balance, but will continue to develop over the next twenty years. Ideal drinking window: 2024 to 2044. As it ages, the wine will develop more depth, graphite, and balsamic notes, without losing its vibrant character.

Would you like to order Anakota wines online?

If available, you'll find the official fact sheet and additional information about this fine wine in the "Attachments" tab. We'll automatically send you these when you order. The wine is stored in our climate-controlled Wine Warehouse, and if you pick it up, you'll often receive a nice discount. You'll see your discount immediately when you select "Pick up" at checkout. We're located in Dordrecht, just off the A16 motorway with ample parking. Click here for our address: www.grandcruwijnen.nl/bezoek-ons . You can read the full wine reviews from Parker, Suckling, Vinous, and Wine Spectator, among others.

Need advice on finding the perfect wine to pair with your dish? Click here for our exclusive Sommelier. Free for Grand Cru customers: www.grandcruwijnen.nl/sommy .

Recommended wine and food pairings

• Dry-aged sirloin steak with black pepper and rosemary. The wine enhances the depth of the meat and accentuates its roasted character.
• Rack of lamb with thyme, garlic, and red wine jus. The spiciness complements the wine's floral notes perfectly.
• Venison fillet with fig compote and cocoa powder. The wine effortlessly holds its own with the earthy, sweet-spicy flavors.
• Risotto with truffle and Parmesan. The full texture and minerality add tension to the dish.
• Roast pigeon with sage and black olives. The wine emphasizes the heartiness and adds elegance to the dish.
• Mature Comté or aged cheddar. The powerful wine remains in balance with the intensity of the cheese.