Anakota, Helena Montana Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon, Knights Valley

Lighter and lifted then its partners. Lots of oak and grip. Wonder when they were opened because they need way more time.

Powerful and concentrated with blackcurrant, dark chocolate, and spice. Full-bodied and structured.

Impenetrably dark blue/black hue with a slim crimson corona at the edge. Freshly opened, The nose is bouquet forward, showing Bordeaux evoking dried tobacco, graphite, cigar box, aged saddle leather, notes of cedar, and a brilliant central core of heady blackberry and blueberry, tightly wrapped in a sweet toasted oak smokiness. The medium body, silky mouthfeel shows sweet, yet slightly faded fruit flavors commensurate with the nose, immediately overtaken by an intrusive tannic presence that almost completely displaces the fruit …

Dark, smoky offering. Velvety texture. Very distinctive profile.

Jamie @ Spire suggested cellaring for 5-10 years from November 2020.

4th Saturday Group: Uptown Brown Bag (T&L's) : Double blind. Grapey and sweet with loads of dill coming through as well. Tannins are rather firm. Flavors of sweet black cab fruit and pepper. Medium+ finish; sligtly austere. Decanted 3 hrs. Guessed Howell Mntn cab sauv. (RH/Spire)

This is a big wine and not for the faint hearted. Blueberry dominant with intense, ripe fruit. Big tannins balance it out but for me, this needs 4 or 5 years more time in the cellar. Quite similar in some ways to Chateau Poyferre.