Ackerman Family Vineyards 2008 Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon - Review

Bob and Lauren Ackerman got married at Auberge du Soleil in 1989, and moved to Napa Valley five years later when they invested in a picturesque vineyard property. By 2003, they had graduated from vineyard caretakers to winery proprietors as Ackerman Family Vineyards was born. Focusing on Cabernet, the winery has earned a reputation for small-batch artisan wines. The 2008 Cabernet serves as a flavor-packed reminder of what Napa Cab is all about. Its impact begins with blackberry, black currant, rose petal and toasted aromas. A concentrated wine, its dark fruit flavors deliver a punch of black cherry and blackberry. Earthy notes come through on the mid and back of the palate, adding complexity and depth. The wine offers a hearty mouthful of tannins; although it is definitely drinkable now, those who are tannin-shy might want to wait as much as ten years before cracking a bottle to let that grip ease a bit. This big-bodied, full-flavored wine will eclipse most delicate foods. We recommend letting it stand on its own or pairing it with simple grilled meats and roasts.