Ackerman Family 'Memoir' Napa Red 2018

Winemaking

Ackerman approaches winemaking with an eye toward balance and aging potential, letting the vineyard's character shine through careful oak integration and tannin management. The 'Memoir' bottling reflects a commitment to capturing the essence of Napa's classic Bordeaux varieties without overextraction or excessive new wood influence.

Tasting Notes

Dark cherry and plum lead the nose, with whispers of tobacco leaf and warming spice beneath a judicious oak frame. On the palate, this is a wine of real structure—blackberry and cassis flavors unfold across a supple mid-palate, accented by a subtle vanilla note that speaks to thoughtful barrel aging. The tannins are fine-grained and fully resolved, carrying you through to a long, elegant finish with a refined grip that suggests this wine will age gracefully over the next several years.

Producer

Ackerman Family is a smaller Napa Valley producer focused on handcrafted Bordeaux blends that reflect the valley's terroir without chasing blockbuster power. The winery's approach emphasizes vineyard selection and restrained winemaking, allowing the natural structure of the fruit to define the final wine.

Terroir

Napa Valley's diverse microclimates and soil types create ideal conditions for Bordeaux varieties, and this blend draws from the valley's best expressions of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and their traditional companions. The region's warm days and cooling evening breezes allow for phenolic ripeness balanced by natural acidity, while well-draining volcanic and alluvial soils contribute both power and precision to the finished wine.

Food Pairings

Try this with braised short ribs in a red wine reduction, where the wine's structured tannins and dark fruit will echo the depth of the dish. Pan-seared duck breast with cherry gastrique is an elegant match that lets the wine's cassis and spice notes play against the bird's richness. For a casual evening, it pairs beautifully with a well-seasoned burger topped with aged cheddar.