2005 Zinfandel Old Vine, Contra Costa, 1.5L

The Wine
This Old Vine Zinfandel shows wonderful dusty raspberry, blackberry, white pepper and spice, with coffee and chocolate characters. Aging in new and used wood has lent this wine a subtle vanilla quality that nicely complements the explosive fruit notes. Enjoy this wine presently for its effusive black fruit, or cellar for 5 to 7 years.

The Winemaking
A pre-fermentation cold soak with traditional pump-over cap management preserved the unique fruit qualities of this wine. After malolactic occurred in neutral wood, an addition of 30% new American oak was used to enhance the spice flavor components and to frame the fruit with added structure in the mid-palate. During 11 months of aging, this wine was racked once and only lightly filtered before bottling.

The Vineyard
Three different blocks of ancient vines, 85-90 years old, from the sandy soil (Delhi sandy loam) surrounding the little Bay Area town of Oakley in Contra Costa County provide the fruit for this blend of Zinfandel (87%), Petite Sirah (8%), Mataro (4%), and Alicante Bouschet (1%). These “old vines” produce a mere 1.5 to 2.5 tons of fruit per acre, showcasing the classic “Oakley” flavors of dusty raspberries, white pepper, and chocolate nuances.