2005 Zinfandel - Dry Creek Valley / Bradford Mountain Vineyards

GRAPE SOURCE
Bradford Mountain Vineyards, originally settled by an Italian family in the late 1800’s, is now owned by the Hambrecht family. They are located on the northwestern side of Dry Creek Valley at about 1000 feet elevation. The volcanic, red soils, Boomer loam and Stonyford loam, are reminiscent of Tuscany's terra rosa. Fifty-one acres are planted to Zinfandel; thirty of those acres were planted in 1974 where we source our fruit. There is some debate, but the Zinfandel vines are thought to be from the “mother” blocks planted in 1900, the Hambrecht/Mead Atlas Peak clone.

WINEMAKING
The 2005 growing season was long and cool, which is perfect for developing grapes with optimum maturity and flavors. The long growing season, with its cool mountain evenings allows for greater natural acidity and a firmer structure than wines produced from the more fertile valley soils. Late spring rains into early summer lead to a later harvest. The slow ripening season contributed to great zinfandel quality and the resulting wines will show elegance and balance. Our style continues to focus on producing fully flavored and colored wines, which are true to the varietal and favor elegance, finesse and balance. This exceptional fruit and our ability to carefully hand sort and ferment in the open top fermenters allows for a well- balanced, food-friendly zinfandel. Wines produced from Bradford Mountain tend to be far more complex, aromatic and intense.

WINEMAKER'S NOTES
This 2005 Dry Creek Bradford Mountain Zinfandel has intense concentrated dark fruit aromas of ripe blackberry and Marion berry fruit with subtle layers hints of cardamom spice and eucalyptus. The wine shows a rich concentrated flavors concentration of ripe dark berry fruit, oriental-like spice and well-proportioned tannins leading to a generous, yet vibrant finish. This robust Zinfandel will pair beautifully with a dry rubbed tri-tip on the summer barbecue.

Bottled: December 8, 2006
Winemaker: Susan Reed
Varietal Composition: 100% Zinfandel
Alcohol: 14.4%
Case Production: 389
Acid/pH: 0.64/3.36
Released: June 2007
Appellation: Dry Creek Valley

 

PAST VINTAGES
2004 Zinfandel - Dry Creek Valley, Bradford Mountain Vineyards
2003 Zinfandel - Dry Creek Valley, Bradford Mountain Vineyards