Of the twin single vineyard Cabernets from winemaker Pierre Seillan the Helena Dakota is often the more elegant of the two. This is peak Sonoma Country Cabernet for the collection.

This hails from the sloping 12-acre vineyard in Knights Valley, California. At 750 feet elevation, the vineyard features soft, reddish-brown gravelly silt loam soils. Cooling westerly winds slow the ripening process, creating powerful yet balanced wines with notable minerality and graceful tannins.

This Cabernet is defined by its power, structure, and sophistication. It offers layers of plums, anise, cassis, leather, bay leaf, and cedar, galvanized by a streak of minerals and bold tannins. Fragrant and complex, it bursts with fresh blueberry and black currant aromas, Crme de Violette, and subtle bay leaf hints. The luxurious palate balances rich flavours with firm structure, making it both enjoyable now and perfect for ageing up to 20 years.

These wines could take pride of place in the finest of collections.

99 points
“The 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon Helena Dakota Vineyard explodes with violets, aniseed and cast iron, with a deep core of crushed blueberries and black cherries. The palate is stunning with its intensity and lift, pure fruits, pixelated tannins and focused acidity.”
– Wine Advocate

98 points
“The 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon Helena Dakota is compact with menthol oils, sage, dark iron-rich earth, and cassis. The palate is savory, with tightly wound structure, and delivers dried herbs, fresh fig, violets, and scorched earth.”
– Jeb Dunnuck

97 points
“The essence of cabernet sauvignon on the nose with cassis and fresh flowers. Full-bodied with orange peel, blackberry, cassis and hints of rose stems. Creamy and powdery tannins.”
– James Suckling

96 points
“The fruit leans toward the purple end of the spectrum: think plums and blackberry jam. But fruit almost takes a backseat to the leather, bay leaf, and iron qualities of the aromas and flavours. Full-bodied and structured, this is a wine with presence but still a freshness that makes it approachable in its youth.”
– Decanter