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Ackerman Family Vineyards Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2003
MSRP: $75.00
"Many pundits criticized the 2003 vintage due to uneven ripeness caused by heat spikes close to harvest time, but the Ackerman's vineyard, located in southern Napa and naturally cooled by the blessed fog from San Francisco Bay, didn't suffer the temperature extremes of more northern vineyards. The result is an exquisite 2003 Cabernet Sauvignon, which continues to develop beautifully in the bottle since I last had the pleasure of tasting it a year ago. Nuances of dark currant, black cherry, cocoa, cedar, earth and oak spice have combined to yield an even more profound and complex wine. The enchanting flavors, medium-full body and rich, yet balanced tannins make this wine eminently drinkable now, but I believe it will continue to improve in the bottle for another three to four years, and will easily hold for five or more years beyond that."
Peter Marks, Master of Wine (MW)
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| Vintage: | 2003 |
|---|---|
| Wine Type: | Red |
| Varietal: | Cabernet Sauvignon |
| Appellation: | Napa Valley |
| Winemaker(s): | Undisclosed |
| Alcohol %: | 13.5 |
| Case Production: | 300 |
| Harvest Date: | October 7, 2003 |
| Time in Oak: | 24 Months |
Vintage Notes:
The 2003 vintage is noted as a difficult farming year due primarily to one week of extreme hot weather that was received in July - causing many farming issues in most vineyards. Irrigation, trellis, well rooted vines and row direction were the hurdles that growers faced. Our well rooted vines, planted
with an east-west row direction and restricted
afternoon sun, allowed our vineyard to transcend the
excessive heat as designed. The harvest went smoothly
with a lighter than normal crop.
Harvest Notes:
Harvest took place on October 7th. We fermented the wine using native yeast with fermentation proceeding very quickly - finishing in less than a week. After14 days of maceration, with tannins building in what was already a big wine, we felt the wine achieved the right balance of structure and fruit. The wine was pressed and drained off of the skins on October 28th,a total of three weeks in tank. Malolactic fermentation was completed before year-end as the wine continued its accelerated development. The 2003 Ackerman Family Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon spent a total of almost 24 months in new French barrels - assuring the wine was mature and finished before bottling in September of 2005.The 2003 release enjoyed a further two years of bottle aging prior to release.
Vineyard Notes:
Our hillside Ackerman Family vineyards are located in the Coombsville district of the Napa Valley - noted as one of the cooler AVA's in the Valley - and allowing for a longer growing season. The vineyard faces easterly to the morning sun and is planted to drought resistant root stock and Cabernet Sauvignon clone 337.This combination is designed to fully reflect the unique terroir of this vineyard while yielding fruit with small berry clusters and bold, luscious flavors of spice and blackberry.
In 1994 Bob and Lauren Ackerman purchased a beautiful, 16-acre vineyard property in the eastern hills of the Napa Valley and quickly began learning about all aspects of the site, including its diverse micro-climates and soil compositions. The Ackerman Family then decided to replant 11 acres exclusively to Cabernet Sauvignon. Employing rigorous organic practices, they produce limited production Cabernet Sauvignon that results in wines showing consistency in depth, complexity and balance in varietal character. Ackerman Family Vineyards are located in the Coombsville district of the Napa Valley, noted as one of the cooler AVA's in the Valley which allow for a longer growing season. The vineyard faces easterly to the morning sun and is planted to drought resistant root stock and Cabernet Sauvignon clone 337. This combination is designed to fullyreflect the unique terroir of this vineyard, while yielding fruit with small berry clusters and bold, luscious flavors.
| Name: | Ackerman Family Vineyards |
|---|---|
| Address: | 2101 Kirkland Ave |
| Case Production: | 400 |
| Winemaker(s): | Undisclosed |
| Primary Appellation(s): | Napa Valley |
| Varietals: | Super Tuscan, Cabernet Sauvignon |