2004 Zinfandel - Dry Creek Valley / Bradford Mountain Vineyards

GRAPE SOURCE
Bradford Mountain Vineyards, originally settled by an Italian family in the late 1800’s, is owned by the Hambrecht family. This Dry Creek Valley property is located on the northwestern slope of Bradford Mountain 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. Though there is some debate, the Zinfandel vines are thought to be from the “mother” blocks planted in 1900, the Hambrecht/Mead Atlas Peak clone.

WINEMAKING
Our style focuses on producing fully flavored and colored wines, which are true to the varietal. We favor elegance, finesse and balance over huge extraction, high tannin and excessive alcohol. This exceptional fruit and our ability to carefully hand sort and ferment in the open top tanks, allows for a well- balanced, food-friendly zinfandel. Wines produced from Bradford Mountain tend to be exceptionally complex, aromatic and quite intense. Cool mountain evenings prolong the growing season, promoting greater natural acidity and a firmer structure than wines produced from the more fertile valley soils.

WINEMAKER'S NOTES
This wine displays wonderfully intense and exotic aromas of ripe blackberry and marionberry, with hints of cardamom spice and eucalyptus. A rich concentration of ripe dark berry fruit, oriental-like spice flavors and well-proportioned tannins lead to a generous, yet vibrant finish. Alas – a dense, full-bodied, well-balanced food Zin! Pair with rich and robust recipes, such as Pulled Pork or Chili Verde.

Bottled: December 2005
Winemaker: Gary Farrell
Varietal Composition: 100% Zinfandel
Alcohol: 14.9%
Case Production: 308
Acid/pH: 0.79/3.32
Released: September 2006
Appellation: Dry Creek Valley

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