Hundred Acre, The Ark Vineyard

Hundred Acre, The Ark VineyardThe 2010 Cabernet Sauvignon Ark Vineyard is medium to deep garnet in color and delivers a beautiful nose of kirsch, red currants and blackberries complementing the fragrant core of cassis, tilled soil, red roses and black tea. The palate is full and firm with lovely vivacity and loads of mineral sparks, finishing long with expressive black truffles and sauteed herbs layers.

especially for a release from what is widely considered a so-so vintage for Champagne

This doesn’t have quite the same grace as the Combottes but it’s definitely a quality effort as it’s built-to-age and a wine that’s going to need at least half a dozen years of patience first while rewarding 15+

tobacco and woodsy aromas and flavors

Patience required

I generally had a slight preference for the estate Pinot Noir

Tasted at a vertical at Château Meyney

complemented by stimulating minerality and juicy acids

one of Chardonnay from Mesnil and another from Avize

it's easy to enjoy the smoky

I would argue that it is not as detailed as other vintages

high glycerin and good acidity

(from a parcel just under Talmettes)