I enjoy wines from Knights Valley, which is its own American Viticulture Area (AVA) and is one of Sonoma Counties first five that resides on the Sonoma side of the Mayacamas mountains. The elevation is higher than the ground floors and the temperatures are higher during the day, while nights are cooler.
The 2001 Anakota Cabernet Sauvignon is produced by one of my favorite Vignerons, Pierre Seillan. Pierre also makes wines for Verite, Chateau Lassegue, and is working on a new label with his daughter Helene. The fruit is produced on an estate-owned vineyard called Helena Montana Vineyard. The vineyard sits 950 feet above sea level and there is over 60 acres of land planted exclusively with Cabernet Sauvignon. Chris and I had the opportunity to taste the wine last spring with Pierre and his wife Monique on the estate. The views up in those hills are remarkable.
Sight
The Cabernet was medium with a garnet hue. The wine was mostly clear but I could see a small amount of sediment in my glass.
Smell
The Anakota Cabernet was very aromatic. It smelled earthy. Some of the aromas were cherry, blackberry and oak.
Taste
The Anakota wine was slightly dry and full-bodied. The acidity was good and my mouth watered with each sip. The tannins were medium and soft, I did not get that “dry mouth” feel. This wine provided numerous complex layered mouth flavors. I could feel the soft tannins in my mid-palate. The finish was velvety and long.
abv: 14.5%
How much? $90.00
The 2001 Anakota Cabernet Sauvignon was excellent and I rated it four glasses. We did not save the wine for the next day, I drank the whole bottle that Saturday night!
In Vino Veritas!
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