Solid Napa effort drinking at peak, I would estimate. Nice fruit on bouquet with black fruit paired with some tobacco and leather, with good structure suggesting no hurry.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
This Anakota is very good. It's 2009, so it has really mellowed and is very smooth. Still has a prominent dark fruit flavor but you can taste the minerals too. Nice balance.
From winemaker:
Cooling breezes in this vineyard slow down the ripening of the grapes and result in wines that are packed with elegance, complexity and finesse. A pure mountain stream and rocky ridge separate this vineyard from our Helena Montana vineyard.
Deep garnet colored, the 2009 Cabernet Sauvignon Helena Dakota Vineyard explodes from the glass with wonderfully profound, expressive notions of baked plums, Black Forest cake, chargrill, molten rocks, tapenade and woodsmoke with nuances of dried flowers, bay leaves, truffles and unsmoked cigars. Full-bodied and firm, with fantastic freshness, the palate is laden with black fruit preserves and savory layers, finishing on a lingering savory note. 800 cases were made.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Very good. Smooth and sweet flavors of plums, prunes, leather, and cola. Anchored by strong tannins; seasoned with moderate pyrazines. Tastes at peak to me.
2 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
Last wine of the night but showed well. Restrained but dark fruit emerged nicely. Tannins and oak were perfectly integrated. Plenty of acid indicates this has many years left. PQR on this is phenomenal!
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
Opened, but not decanted with my wine group. Everyone had this as either their favorite or 2nd favorite wine of the night (my 2nd favorite). It still has lots of fruit, although I picked up some notes of stewed fruit. Long finish, full bodied.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
For a 2009 vintage that is approaching 10 years in the bottle, this wine is still tight and pretty primary on the palate. I gave it some air (not much) but it didn’t open up that much. Nice nose of violet and dark berry notes. Subtle oak and blueberry core, along indications of tobacco and some tannins. I think this may show better with more air or a long decant and with half a bottle left, we will see. 90+ Points and pretty pleasant.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Beautiful wine here. Tasted against the Montana and definitely prefer the Dakota at this point. Rich dark cherry and blackberry fruits with a thick, creamy texture that offers up a nice core of earth, licorice, and milk chocolate. Smooth, supple tannins and a wonderful long finish. Well done here!
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Still very young and primary. Heavy oak on the nose. Pours dark and thick. Decanted 3 hrs. Tannins on the early part of the curve of integration. Behind the tannic structure, some wood and fruits starting to show. Wood was mix of oak and cedar, fruits seems mixed red and black, but too hidden right now. Lots of potential for 2-3 points higher with time. Let it rest for 3-5 yrs and you will be rewarded.
Had this as part of a 2009 CA Cab get together. I brought 3 wines, the 2009 O'Shaughnessy Howell Mountain (2nd of 7 wines on the night), the 2009 Anakota Cabernet Sauvignon Helena Dakota Vineyard (4th of 7) and the 2009 Larkmead Caberenet (7th of 7), we also had the 2009 Harlan Estate (3rd of 7) that was supplied by our host.
I wish I had paid more attention to this. I liked it, but don't remember it well enough to have a rating in mind.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Wonderful already, not sure why this wine supposedly needs to sit until 2018. Subtle, but with lots of dark fruit and spice sitting below the surface that seems to emerge in a secondary fashion.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
I like this wine very much. Some say the wine need years in the cellar, to tannic to closed in. I say no. Sure time will soften the edges and add some depth but , fun to drink as is.
2 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
Big wine with a big nose on it, easy to appreciate from the cork pop. Chocolatey and rich at first, but then turns lean and mean from half-way through the mid-palate and on through the finish, with alcohol, austerity, and a pinched finish. Should have given more pleasure, and will never give any more. Clumsy.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Tasted over three days. Lots and lots of power, almost overwhelming at times, at least until the third day. A wine comprised of component parts, but unintegrated as of yet. It is loud and brash at present, afloat in alcohol, and shows a mouth-puckering bitters element at the back. Full body, high acid, medium tannin. Time will certainly help. Drank it alongside a 2010 Nickel and Nickel Sullenger Cabernet Sauvignon over the same period and that showed better integration and balance. 92-93.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
Wow, such a benchmark california cab... others have already expressed how this wine drinks and the amazing, beautiful cassis and crushed berry notes, long long long finish, a powerhouse. Great value for the money, tastes like a $250 or over wine.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
Young and with potential to develop nicely for at least 5-7 years. Still approachable and enjoyable after a ~45 min decant. Strong mountain fruit profile, blackberry being the strongest note but balanced with medium-full texture and long, soft yet complex, herbal finish
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
Blind Cali Reds (Washington, DC): A brooding dark purple color. Takes a bit to open up aromatically, then shows black cherries, currant jam, mocha, deep violets and rich loamy soil. So much structure on the palate; the tannins show tons of grip, a bit of acid to keep it fresh. The black cherry and cassis tastes ripe, deep, but also tart. Lots of loam, tobacco leaf, and granite notes, accented by mocha, dark roast coffee and spiced cranberry sauce. Some black licorice and molasses on the finish. Big, such concentration, young, but beautiful and complex. Deserves to be buried for at least three-to-five before it probably comes out to show its best, but it will hold up for so long.
10/13/2022 - ddingley Likes this wine: 92 Points
Solid Napa effort drinking at peak, I would estimate. Nice fruit on bouquet with black fruit paired with some tobacco and leather, with good structure suggesting no hurry.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
1/12/2022 - Mdb1982 Likes this wine: 93 Points
Very similar to my notes from one year earlier. Nice wine, really enjoyed it and has many years to go. Fruit is still prominent, nicely balanced wine.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
7/29/2021 - PAWS wrote:
Drinking very nicely, tobacco, chocolate. Great mouth feel, bit short on the finish but still in good shape. Enjoy or sit on this beauty.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
5/24/2021 - bonedoc wrote:
Last bottle, limited notes, savory w hints of chocolate. Nicely done.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
4/10/2021 - johnmpete wrote: 94 Points
good to go - - - tobacco, plum. Not fruity.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
1/8/2021 - Mdb1982 Likes this wine: 93 Points
This Anakota is very good. It's 2009, so it has really mellowed and is very smooth. Still has a prominent dark fruit flavor but you can taste the minerals too. Nice balance.
From winemaker:
Cooling breezes in this vineyard slow down the ripening of the grapes and result in wines that are packed with elegance, complexity and finesse. A pure mountain stream and rocky ridge separate this vineyard from our Helena Montana vineyard.
Deep garnet colored, the 2009 Cabernet Sauvignon Helena Dakota Vineyard explodes from the glass with wonderfully profound, expressive notions of baked plums, Black Forest cake, chargrill, molten rocks, tapenade and woodsmoke with nuances of dried flowers, bay leaves, truffles and unsmoked cigars. Full-bodied and firm, with fantastic freshness, the palate is laden with black fruit preserves and savory layers, finishing on a lingering savory note. 800 cases were made.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
11/12/2020 - tortega97 Likes this wine: 94 Points
Forest floor, black fruit, plum, tobacco, leather. Drinking great now but could probably hold on another 10!
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
8/2/2020 - rmalloy Likes this wine: 92 Points
Very good. Smooth and sweet flavors of plums, prunes, leather, and cola. Anchored by strong tannins; seasoned with moderate pyrazines. Tastes at peak to me.
2 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
12/5/2019 - Geaux Tigers wrote: flawed
Old mold, must and grandma’s house. Tried a decant , this is dead.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
3/2/2019 - Geaux Tigers Likes this wine: 93 Points
Last wine of the night but showed well. Restrained but dark fruit emerged nicely. Tannins and oak were perfectly integrated. Plenty of acid indicates this has many years left. PQR on this is phenomenal!
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
2/26/2019 - SMHalps wrote: 93 Points
Opened, but not decanted with my wine group. Everyone had this as either their favorite or 2nd favorite wine of the night (my 2nd favorite). It still has lots of fruit, although I picked up some notes of stewed fruit. Long finish, full bodied.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
11/1/2018 - bonedoc wrote: 93 Points
bright fruits, good acidity, well made.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
3/1/2018 - Yack Man wrote: 91 Points
For a 2009 vintage that is approaching 10 years in the bottle, this wine is still tight and pretty primary on the palate. I gave it some air (not much) but it didn’t open up that much. Nice nose of violet and dark berry notes. Subtle oak and blueberry core, along indications of tobacco and some tannins. I think this may show better with more air or a long decant and with half a bottle left, we will see. 90+ Points and pretty pleasant.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
7/15/2017 - alpha_ori Likes this wine: 95 Points
I'm a big fan of this wine. This is just entering its drinking window. A wine of great balance. Unmistakably California, but definitely delicious.
I had the first of these wines too early, and a result I have not rebought my allocation in subsequent years. I am now regretting this decision.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
2/6/2017 - bonedoc wrote: 92 Points
well made sonoma cab.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
11/1/2016 - brianofthevine Likes this wine: 93 Points
Beautiful wine here. Tasted against the Montana and definitely prefer the Dakota at this point. Rich dark cherry and blackberry fruits with a thick, creamy texture that offers up a nice core of earth, licorice, and milk chocolate. Smooth, supple tannins and a wonderful long finish. Well done here!
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
2/7/2016 - Geaux Tigers Likes this wine: 92 Points
Still very young and primary. Heavy oak on the nose. Pours dark and thick. Decanted 3 hrs. Tannins on the early part of the curve of integration. Behind the tannic structure, some wood and fruits starting to show. Wood was mix of oak and cedar, fruits seems mixed red and black, but too hidden right now. Lots of potential for 2-3 points higher with time. Let it rest for 3-5 yrs and you will be rewarded.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comments (1)
12/1/2015 - SMHalps Likes this wine:
Had this as part of a 2009 CA Cab get together. I brought 3 wines, the 2009 O'Shaughnessy Howell Mountain (2nd of 7 wines on the night), the 2009 Anakota Cabernet Sauvignon Helena Dakota Vineyard (4th of 7) and the 2009 Larkmead Caberenet (7th of 7), we also had the 2009 Harlan Estate (3rd of 7) that was supplied by our host.
I wish I had paid more attention to this. I liked it, but don't remember it well enough to have a rating in mind.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
11/23/2015 - awise45 wrote: 94 Points
Wonderful already, not sure why this wine supposedly needs to sit until 2018. Subtle, but with lots of dark fruit and spice sitting below the surface that seems to emerge in a secondary fashion.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
10/25/2015 - Justinwine wrote: 92 Points
I like this wine very much. Some say the wine need years in the cellar, to tannic to closed in. I say no. Sure time will soften the edges and add some depth but , fun to drink as is.
2 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
9/18/2015 - bonedoc wrote: 92 Points
Montana and Dakota together. Montana lighter and a little more bright, Dakota darker and richer. Montana 91, Dakota 92.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
8/9/2015 - johnmpete wrote: 94 Points
Nowhere near ready. Very tannic. Needs at least 3 more years. Much higher quality than anticipated.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
8/9/2015 - Justinwine wrote: 95 Points
best wine of the night.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
5/20/2015 - bonedoc wrote: 91 Points
Dark, dusty, tannic, adequate fruit but needs time for dominant tannins to resolve - hold for 2-3 years.
2 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
12/12/2014 - yofog wrote:
Big wine with a big nose on it, easy to appreciate from the cork pop. Chocolatey and rich at first, but then turns lean and mean from half-way through the mid-palate and on through the finish, with alcohol, austerity, and a pinched finish. Should have given more pleasure, and will never give any more. Clumsy.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
11/21/2014 - Jeff Leve wrote: 93 Points
The easy to find nose pops with licorice, stone, jam and ripe, dark fruits, Concentrated, lush, sweet and round, this is ready to drink.
3 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
10/26/2014 - Motz wrote: 92 Points
Tasted over three days. Lots and lots of power, almost overwhelming at times, at least until the third day. A wine comprised of component parts, but unintegrated as of yet. It is loud and brash at present, afloat in alcohol, and shows a mouth-puckering bitters element at the back. Full body, high acid, medium tannin. Time will certainly help. Drank it alongside a 2010 Nickel and Nickel Sullenger Cabernet Sauvignon over the same period and that showed better integration and balance. 92-93.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
9/7/2014 - George C ATLANTA Likes this wine: 96 Points
Wow, such a benchmark california cab... others have already expressed how this wine drinks and the amazing, beautiful cassis and crushed berry notes, long long long finish, a powerhouse. Great value for the money, tastes like a $250 or over wine.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
8/26/2014 - spencermerrell@gmail.com Likes this wine: 93 Points
Young and with potential to develop nicely for at least 5-7 years. Still approachable and enjoyable after a ~45 min decant. Strong mountain fruit profile, blackberry being the strongest note but balanced with medium-full texture and long, soft yet complex, herbal finish
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
5/9/2014 - isaacjamesbaker wrote: 92 Points
Blind Cali Reds (Washington, DC): A brooding dark purple color. Takes a bit to open up aromatically, then shows black cherries, currant jam, mocha, deep violets and rich loamy soil. So much structure on the palate; the tannins show tons of grip, a bit of acid to keep it fresh. The black cherry and cassis tastes ripe, deep, but also tart. Lots of loam, tobacco leaf, and granite notes, accented by mocha, dark roast coffee and spiced cranberry sauce. Some black licorice and molasses on the finish. Big, such concentration, young, but beautiful and complex. Deserves to be buried for at least three-to-five before it probably comes out to show its best, but it will hold up for so long.
2 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comments (2)