2019 Hundred Acre Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon Dark Ark

the story behind Hundred Acre Vineyard

Hundred Acre is a Napa Valley estate known for its small production and extreme focus on quality. The wines come from carefully selected plots in areas including St. Helena and Rutherford. Owner Jayson Woodbridge operates with a clear vision: only the finest fruit makes it into the final cuvées. The estate works with low yields, meticulous selection, and extended aging. Hundred Acre's style is robust, rich, and precise. The wines receive considerable attention worldwide from sommeliers and enthusiasts seeking intensity and concentration.

The estate works exclusively with high-quality Cabernet Sauvignon. The vineyards are situated on sunny slopes with cool nights. The combination of daytime warmth and nighttime cooling produces ripe, vibrant grapes. The soils consist of alluvial rock, clay, and silt. This structure gives the wine strength and a distinct mineral undertone.

the background of the Dark Ark vineyard

Dark Ark is a selection within the Ark Vineyard. This vineyard is located in the eastern part of Napa Valley on a slope above St. Helena. The soil is rich in rock and drains well. The plants have deep roots and produce small, concentrated clusters. The combination of altitude, sun, and airflow produces grapes with dark fruit aromas and firm tannins. Dark Ark is only produced in years when the fruit fully meets the selection criteria.

characteristics of Hundred Acre Cabernet Sauvignon Dark Ark 2019

The 2019 Dark Ark comes from a vintage known for stable conditions, excellent ripening, and high fruit quality. The grapes reached full phenolic ripeness without extreme heat spikes. This resulted in a wine with power, balance, and rich structure. The style of Dark Ark is deep, intense, and layered. The wine displays dark fruit, spice, and a pronounced texture.

Selection for the Dark Ark is rigorous. Only the most concentrated grapes from the Ark Vineyard are used. This creates a wine with a distinct identity within the Hundred Acre range. The 2019 showcases a combination of length, warmth, concentration, and finesse.

grapes, harvest and vinification

The wine is made entirely of Cabernet Sauvignon. Harvesting is done by hand. The grapes are picked in several rounds to select only ripe fruit. After arriving at the cellar, the bunches are rigorously sorted. Fermentation takes place in small, temperature-controlled tanks. The skin maceration is prolonged, resulting in deep color and a powerful structure. The wine is aged extensively in new French oak, adding complexity, length, and depth.

Maturation lasts approximately two years. The barrels are tasted separately. Only the finest barrels are selected for Dark Ark. The style remains rich, layered, and intense. The wine displays full tannins that soften with age.

color, smell and taste of the 2019 Dark Ark

The color is deep purple with black reflections. The aroma opens with cassis, black cherry, plum, and graphite. In the background, notes of cocoa, spices, and tobacco. The structure is firm with broad tannins. The flavor focuses on dark fruit, smoky notes, and subtle wood influences. The finish is long and powerful. The wine displays richness and clear focus.

Dark Ark's style is similar to the more powerful wines from Napa. The combination of ripe fruit, high intensity, and a layered structure makes it an attractive wine for lovers of powerful Cabernet Sauvignon.

the climate and conditions in 2019

The 2019 vintage experienced a cool spring with regular rainfall. The summer remained warm without extreme heat, giving the grapes time to ripen undisturbed. The nights remained cool, resulting in good acidity balance. Harvest took place under ideal conditions, resulting in a wine that displays concentration without losing tension. The 2019 vintage is considered ripe, structured, and aromatically pure.

Would you like to order Hundred Acre Vineyard wines online?

If available, you'll find the official fact sheet and additional information about this fine wine in the "Attachments" tab. We'll automatically send you these when you order this wine. The wine is stored in our climate-controlled Wine Warehouse, and if you pick it up, you'll often receive a nice discount. You'll see your discount immediately when you select "Pickup" at the checkout page. We're located in Dordrecht, near the A16 motorway, with ample parking. Click here for our address. You can read the full wine reviews from Parker, Suckling, Vinous, and Wine Spectator, among others. Need advice on finding the perfect wine to pair with your dish? Click here for our exclusive Sommelier. Free for Grand Cru customers.

Wine and food pairings with Hundred Acre Cabernet Sauvignon Dark Ark 2019

Grilled ribeye matches the powerful structure and deep notes of cassis.

Beef stew with sage complements the warmth and spicy notes of the wine.

Roasted portobello with balsamic vinegar makes an earthy combination alongside the dark fruit.

Rack of lamb with rosemary provides a harmonious interplay due to the rich tannins.

Pure chocolate fondant complements the intensity and dark fruit aromas.

Mushroom risotto provides balance through its creaminess and mineral undertones.

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