2010 Hundred Acre Cabernet Sauvignon The Ark Vineyard

From the Howell Mountain Arc Vineyard (usually 1,300 to 1,400 cases produced in a normal year), the 2010 Cabernet Sauvignon Arc Vineyard could be a candidate for perfection when it hits full maturity in 7-8 years. However, I wouldn’t hesitate to drink it now given the sweetness of the tannin and the abundance of the ripe, concentrated, delicious fruit. The nose exhibits classic aromas of mulberries, graphite, licorice, forest floor, black currants and blackberries. This is a broad, full throttle, multilevel, sensational wine. (RP) 98+

(15.5% alcohol): Good dark red. Pure sex appeal on the nose, with black raspberry, licorice, menthol and mineral aromas buoyed by a violet quality. Like liquid velvet on the palate; a great, sweet fruit bomb with a positively three-dimensional texture. Dark berry flavors are complicated by a saline element and lifted by sneaky underlying minerality. The finish is lightly saline and endless, with ripe tannins totally buffered by the wine's voluptuous texture. My sample gained in firmness with 48 hours in the recorked bottle without losing any of its verve, a very good sign for its likely aging curve.

The 2010 Cabernet Sauvignon Ark Vineyard literally explodes from the glass. Precise veins of minerality frame the fruit in this intense, full-bodied Cabernet Sauvignon. Black cherries, violets, tar and graphite are all layered together beautifully. Hints of chocolate, mocha and sweet spices appear later. The 2010 Ark sits on the razors' edge of ripeness, as the Hundred Acre wines often do. At the same time, these wines have a way of developing notable complexity in bottle. There is a level of intensity matched by expressive inner perfume that is compelling.