Tasting Notes

Ackerman’s 2008 is more intense, more concentrated and longer-lived than any of the previous five vintages. The electrifying nose hums with deep blackberry, Bing cherry, sweet plum and rich mocha/toasty oak. On the palate, the fruit intensity carries through with enormous depth and mouth filling tannins, which augur well for at least another 10 to 20 years of aging in the cellar. Great wines have balance that allows them to be enjoyed in their youth as well as later in life; this is what defines Ackerman’s delicious 2008 Cabernet.

2008 Harvest

The 2008 wine growing season brought some of the coldest, most frost affected nights in recent memory, but some of the hottest, driest daytime weather as well. The dry warm weather was very helpful in fruit ripening and mellowing tannins with deep fruit flavors through out.

2008 Winemaking

An even and dry year resulted in harvest on October 14th. After a week of soaking and inactivity, the native yeast began a normal fermentation of 14 days. After one month of skin contact, we drained it to 100% new oak, using Taransaud, Gamba and St. Martin barrels. A total of 22 months in barrel mellowed tannins, enhanced aromas and created the flavors we wanted before bottling.