2019 Hundred Acre Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon Dark Ark

The 2018 Hundred Acre Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon Dark Ark is a lavish, ultra-premium Napa Valley Cabernet designed for collectors and serious enthusiasts. Sourced from the famed Ark Vineyard, this bottling represents the darkest, most powerful expression of the site, crafted in tiny quantities with obsessive attention to detail. It is a statement wine from one of Napa’s most sought-after producers, combining immense concentration with a sense of precision and polish.

Tasting Notes
In the glass, the 2018 Dark Ark is nearly opaque, with a dense, inky purple core that clings to the sides of the glass. The aromas are intense and layered: blackcurrant and blackberry compote, crème de cassis, dark plum, and black cherry, supported by notes of cocoa nib, espresso, graphite, licorice, and sweet cedar, with a hint of violet and dried herbs emerging as it opens. On the palate, this is a full-bodied, opulent Cabernet Sauvignon with a mouthfilling texture and remarkable depth. Ripe black and blue fruits dominate at first, followed by waves of dark chocolate, baking spices, and a subtle savory minerality that reflects its hillside origins. The tannins are abundant yet velvety, finely polished and integrated with the rich fruit and high-quality oak. The finish is long, powerful, and persistent, suggesting significant aging potential. While already impressive in its youth, this 2018 Dark Ark will reward patience and can evolve gracefully in the cellar for 15–20+ years under proper conditions.

Production
The Dark Ark bottling is sourced from Hundred Acre’s Ark Vineyard in Napa Valley, a meticulously farmed site known for its steep slopes, rocky soils, and excellent exposure that naturally limit yields and concentrate flavor. Vines are carefully managed and fruit is typically harvested by hand in multiple passes, ensuring only perfectly ripe clusters make it into the winery. Winemaking at Hundred Acre follows a no-compromise philosophy: meticulous sorting, small-lot fermentation, and extended aging in a high proportion of new, top-quality French oak barrels. The Dark Ark selections are drawn from the darkest, most intense parcels and barrels of Ark Vineyard, resulting in a wine of exceptional richness, structure, and purity.

Food & Serving
This is a powerful, luxurious Cabernet that shines alongside equally rich, savory dishes. Think dry-aged ribeye, grilled lamb chops with rosemary, braised short ribs, venison, or slow-cooked beef cheeks. Aged hard cheeses like Comté, Parmigiano-Reggiano, or mature Gouda also complement its depth and structure. Serve at 16–18°C (around 60–65°F) for optimal expression. Decanting is strongly recommended—at least 2 hours for younger bottles—to allow the wine to unwind and reveal its full aromatic and textural complexity.

Producer
Hundred Acre, founded by Canadian-born vintner Jayson Woodbridge, has become one of Napa Valley’s most collectible and critically acclaimed producers in a remarkably short time. The estate is renowned for its uncompromising approach: low yields, obsessive vineyard work, and painstaking, small-lot winemaking that treats each parcel as a grand cru. Ark Vineyard, one of the winery’s flagship sites, sits in the hills above Napa Valley and has gained an almost cult status among Cabernet lovers worldwide. Hundred Acre wines regularly receive top scores from leading critics and are coveted on both restaurant lists and in private cellars, helping to cement Napa Valley’s reputation for producing some of the world’s most opulent, ageworthy Cabernet Sauvignons.

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