Reviews & Scores
Medium to deep garnet colored, the 2009 Cabernet Sauvignon Ark Vineyard gives up bold cherry cordial, blackberry pie, dried mulberries and plum preserves notions with nuances of violets and orange blossoms plus wafts of black tea, cast iron pan, pencil lead and beef drippings. The palate is full-bodied, decadently concentrated and very structured with a solid line of ripe, grainy tannins and seamless freshness, delivering a long, mineral-tinged finish.
WA97December 2018
The 2009 Cabernet Sauvignon Ark Vineyard emerges from a parcel of old, volcanic soils that inform the wine to a significant degree. A vivid kaleidoscope of iron, ash, tar, smoke, crushed rocks and dark red berries take shape as this fabulous, pedigreed wine shows off its considerable personality. A cool, inward wine, the Ark is all about minerality and pure tension as a backdrop for the characteristic Hundred Acre fruit. A huge, mineral-soaked finish rounds things out in style. The 2009 is the rare Hundred Acre wine that is not likely to offer immediate pleasure. It will more than make up for that in the future. I can’t wait to see how this explosive, beguiling Cabernet develops over the next few years.
VM96December 2012
This elegant style displays backbone and vibrancy, offering fresh, ripe, generous black cherry and blackberry fruit, with silky tannins.
WS94October 2012
Bright, deep ruby-red. Lively aromas of black raspberry, blueberry, boysenberry and violet. Compellingly rich and chewy, with a 3-D texture to the flavors of black fruits, licorice and spices. Darker in character than the Precious, but also with great inner-mouth energy. Finishes with utterly noble tannins and outstanding slowly building length.
ST96May 2012