2019 Hundred Acre Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon Wraith

the story behind Hundred Acre Vineyard

Hundred Acre is a small, highly selective winery in Napa Valley. The owner operates with a clear vision. Only perfectly ripe grapes from three of their own vineyards are used. The emphasis is on exceptional quality Cabernet Sauvignon. The vineyards are located in St. Helena, Howell Mountain, and Calistoga. Each location has its own unique soil structure and microclimate. The combination of altitude, cool nights, and poor soils produces grapes with high concentration, ripe tannins, and aromatic precision.

Hundred Acre works with low yields, separate vinification of each plot, and careful barrel selection. The estate's style is intense, rich, layered, and always focused on texture and balance. The wines often only become fully accessible after years and develop further in the bottle.

characteristics of Hundred Acre Cabernet Sauvignon Wraith 2019

The 2019 Wraith displays a combination of ripeness, tension, and finesse. According to The Wine Advocate (source: The Wine Advocate, score 98), the wine opens with cherry, cassis, a light spicy note, and a subtle herbal character. Underneath, earthy notes, cigar box, and dark forest floor emerge. The structure is full and creamy, with a soft, velvety texture. The wine finishes long, rich, and silky.

The review emphasizes that the 2019 Wraith is a blend that encapsulates the character of the vintage. The reviewer calls it "luscious stuff" and points out the risk of finding it hard to resist. The wine has a recommended drinking window of 2025 to 2040.

the three vineyards behind Wraith

Morgan's Way is located at the foot of Howell Mountain and boasts soils of clay and volcanic rock. This combination keeps the roots cool and creates elegance and balance in the final wine.

Ark Vineyard is situated higher up on Howell Mountain. This parcel has a complex soil of ancient sediment, volcanic debris, and bedrock. The planting density is high, and the individual blocks are harvested and vinified separately. Ark wines are powerful and precise.

Few and Far Between is located in Calistoga, on volcanic soil containing fragments of Mount St. Helena. The vineyard is situated in a cool location and benefits from fresh winds from the Chalk Hill Gap. The wine from this parcel displays ripe fruit, spice, and a powerful structure. This is the estate's smallest parcel.

the 2019 harvest year and the circumstances

The winemaker describes 2019 as "almost too perfect." The summer was uneventful, with ample warmth and no extreme conditions. The days were warm, the nights cool. As a result, the grapes ripened slowly and evenly. The aromatic structure was optimal, as was the phenolic ripeness. The harvest took place under ideal conditions, yielding grapes with a perfect balance of sugar, acidity, and tannin.

These conditions produce a wine that is simultaneously powerful, creamy, fresh, and layered. The structure of the 2019 vintage makes the wines accessible relatively early, without losing any ageing potential.

vinification and maturation of the 2019 Wraith

The grapes are harvested by hand and rigorously selected. Each plot is vinified separately. Fermentation takes place in small, temperature-controlled tanks. The wine undergoes a long maceration to extract color, aromas, and tannins. After fermentation, the wine is aged in French oak, using a combination of new and used wood. The barrels are tasted individually, and only the finest barrels make the final blend.

The maturation produces soft tannins, a broad texture, and a combination of black fruit, earth, and cigar box notes. The balance between fruit and structure gives the wine considerable length and complexity.

color, smell and taste of the Wraith 2019

The color is deep ruby with an almost black core. The aroma reveals cassis, black cherry, a touch of spice, earth, and tobacco. Swirling reveals notes of cedar, chocolate, and forest floor. The palate is full and creamy. The tannins are velvety and complement the ripe fruit notes beautifully. The finish is long, rounded, and silky, with recurring red fruit and subtle spice.

storage potential and development

The 2019 Wraith is already approachable but will continue to develop over the coming years. The drinking window begins in 2025 and runs until 2045. With aging, the wine gains depth, more complex earthy notes, and a softer structure. The wine's concentration and balanced acidity and tannins offer excellent conditions for long-term aging.

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 Wraith 2019

Rack of lamb with thyme and garlic goes well with the structure and dark fruit aromas.

Ribeye with rosemary complements the creamy texture and rich tannins.

Mushroom risotto provides a soft balance to the earthy notes in the wine.

Roasted eggplant with bell pepper works because of the savory elements and the ripe fruit texture.

Beef stew with sage is a powerful combination due to its depth and concentration.

Dark chocolate with sea salt complements the cassis and dark notes in the long finish.