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2009 Dry Creek Valley Zinfandel
Our Terroir- The Dry Creek Valley
Located in the heart of Northern Sonoma, the Dry Creek Valley is characterized by warm days, cool nights and a long and balanced growing season. In the evening, cool marine influences enter from the southern portion of the valley where the Dry Creek flows into the Russian River. This terroir produces wines of such exceptional quality that the Dry Creek Valley has been considered by many to be one of the finest sources of Zinfandel in California.
While the early winter of 2008 was cold and rainy, the early spring of 2009 brought comparably warm and dry conditions. The growing season was not marked by either unusual temperatures or rainfall, allowing even growth and maturation. The end of spring and the summer months were typically moderate and warm with few heat spikes, which provided perfect conditions for the ripening of our Zinfandel grapes. Harvest began in early September, and was complete by the end of October with minimal challenges. Yields were slightly lower than previous vintages, but the result was fruit of excellent quality with intensity and depth.
Winemaking that Captures Our Terroir
Our winemaker crafts Frei Brothers Reserve’s Zinfandel to reflect the expressive purity of Dry Creek Valley fruit. Traditional Dry Creek Zinfandel style is enhanced by the use of modern techniques to produce a wine that represents this renowned terroir. The grapes for Frei Brothers Reserve’s Zinfandel are gently de-stemmed, but not crushed, to retain a significant portion of whole berries for fermentation. This technique allows the winemaker to retain vibrant red berry flavors while minimizing the extraction of harsh tannins. The wine was cold soaked at 60° F to extract color and intense flavors from the grapes prior to primary fermentation. Fermentation lasted 4-6 days at a maximum temperature of 88° F. After primary fermentation, the wine underwent malolactic fermentation and was aged on lees to enhance the mouth feel.
Tasting Note
Our 2009 Dry Creek Valley Zinfandel displays classic fruit flavors of red and black currant and bramble berry. Spicy notes of black pepper, white pepper, and nutmeg add layers, and the finish is elegant and mouth-coating.
Technical Notes
| Appellation: | Dry Creek Valley |
| Varietal Content: | 95% Zinfandel, 5% Petite Sirah, 4% Syrah |
| Titratable Acidity: | 0.55 g/100ml |
| Residual Sugar: | 0.53 g/100ml |
| pH: | 3.72 |
| Alcohol Level: | 14.96% |
