Atrea Old Soul Red 2005

Vintage and Release Information

Mendocino County Red Wine 2005
Released January 2, 2009
Production of 1464 cases

Varietal Composition

46% Zinfandel
34% Syrah
11% Petite Sirah
9% Malbec

Technical Data

15.3% alcohol by volume
0.61 gm/100 ml titratable acidity
pH 3.84
Bottled May 2007

Vineyards and Harvest

The grapes were harvested and field-sorted by hand beginning with the Zinfandel on September 28, 2005, and ending with our estate-grown Malbec on November 2, 2005 at an average of 25.5 Brix.  One-quarter of the grapes, farmed organically, were sourced from the Saracina Ranch; the balance was sourced from five other low-yield, organic or sustainably farmed Mendocino County vineyards ranging in age from 11 to 86 years, including the oldest Syrah planting in the U.S.

Winemaking and Cooperage

The grapes were picked at full maturity, de-stemmed and gently crushed into fermenters.  The must soaked at a cool temperature for four to seven days, at which point native yeast fermentation began.  Post-fermentation maceration with heat followed for approximately one week.  The wine was aged in Burgundian oak (25% new) for 14 months, which included six months of native malolactic fermentation.  The blend was assembled and bottled unfiltered in early March 2006.

Winemaker

Alex MacGregor

Consulting Winemaker

David Ramey

Winemaker's Comments

This unique blend of Mendocino County’s iconic grapes has deep and well defined aromas of boysenberry, blackberry and creamy oak. The palate is fully ripe and well fleshed out, sporting plumy black fruit and supple, soft tannins. It is structured enough to hold well in bottle for years, but the fruit is so appealing that I would start drinking it now.