Professional reviews
Jeb Dunnuck (98)
The 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon Dark Ark is not far off the classic Ark Vineyard, yet it has a slightly darker, more structured, focused style. Darker currants, black cherries, new leather, graphite, and crushed stone notes all define the aromatics, and it's a big, structured beast of a wine that deserves 4-5 years of bottle age. Is it better than the Ark release? Hard to say, but certainly, both of these releases are absolutely sensational wines.
Decanter (100)
A brooding and powerful wine, like the most delicious hurricane you've ever been caught in. It’s packed with super dark fruit, with a wild herb character reminiscent of rain-soaked herbs during a downpour. Rich layers of brandied cassis, dark chocolate, and spiced black cherry liqueur unfold alongside deep blackberry fruit infused with saddle leather and hints of rum-raisin and dry currants. The tannins are finely sculpted, bold, and refined, weaving through dark tobacco notes, new cedarwood, and more of that seductive black cherry and blackberry compote. This wine is for after dinner, the perfect pairing with a fine cigar. A barrel selection of the densest, most powerful wines from the Hundred Acre Ark vineyard, it’s a wine that embodies both strength and elegance—rich, intense, and undeniably bold.
The Wine Independent (100)
The Wine Independent: Deep garnet-purple colored, the 2021 Dark Ark Cabernet Sauvignon gallops out with notes of menthol, crème de cassis, and plum preserves, leading to an undercurrent of clove oil, licorice, tapenade, and incense with a waft of rose oil. Full-bodied and fabulously intense, it has a rock-solid structure of ripe, grainy tannins and laser-like freshness, finishing with epic length. 'This is the darkest threads of Ark,' said Jayson Woodbridge. 'The super structure of the universe.'
The Wine Palate (100)
