2018 Hundred Acre Cabernet Sauvignon Dark Ark
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Tasting notes
The 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon Dark Ark is a 100-case selection derived from Ark Vineyard barrels that were notably darker and denser than the rest. Loaded with black cherries, cassis and loam notes, it's full-bodied, a bit brooding but concentrated, rich and supple, with a long, velvety finish. A true powerhouse, it's clearly one of Hundred Acre's top 2018s.
Critic scores
The Wine Advocate
Jeb Dunnuck
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The 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon Dark Ark is unquestionably cut from the same cloth as the base Ark Vineyard, although, as the name suggests, it is slightly darker and more mineral-laced. Dense purple-hued, with powerful notes of blue fruits, smoked tobacco, violets, and damp earth, it has perfectly integrated background oak, ripe, building, flawless tannins, and a great, great finish, and I love its purity of fruit. This is going to benefit from 3-4 years of bottle age and keep through 2045.
Deep garnet-purple colored, the 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon Dark Ark offers up gregarious notes of stewed plums, Christmas pudding, Chinese five spice and scorched earth, followed by suggestions of molten rocks, smoked meats, tilled soil and truffles. Full-bodied, the palate reveals tightly packed layers of black fruit preserves and earthy nuances, supported by ripe, fine-grained tannins and a lively backbone, finishing long and enticingly restrained. (LPB)