2005 Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir

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Vineyards:	33% Meredith, 29% Rayhill, 21% Thorn Ridge, 11% Bailey, 3% Guidici, 3% O'Connor
Fermentation:	5 day cold soak in open top fermenters, hand punched down 1 to 3 times per day, free run sent directly to barrel, press wine settled and barreled separately
Barrel aging:	10 months in 100% French oak, 37% new, 34% one year old and 29% two year old barrels
Bottling:	July 26, 2006
Production:	858 cases 750 ml, 20 cases 1.5L

The 2005 Freeman Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir is comprised almost entirely of the vineyards found to the south of the Freeman Winery, in the Sonoma Coast appellation. Most of these vineyards share the same soil, climate and have similar clones and vine ages, and are farmed by some amazing people.

Starting with the largest component of the '05 Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir, we put all of our Meredith Estate fruit into this wine. Meredith is owned and farmed by the very well-known Merry Edwards and her husband Ken Coopersmith. Dating back to Freeman's inaugural 2002 vintage, this site on Burnside Road has the longest history with Freeman among all of our fruit sources. In 2005 we received only one clone from Meredith, the Swan selection, which happens to be Akiko's favorite.

Next in terms of percentage of the blend comes the Rayhill Vineyard, appropriately named after owner William Rayhill. After yielding only 1 ton in 2004, we brought in 6 tons in 2005 from this 8 acre Falstaff Road, 4 clone vineyard. This was followed by Ted Klopp's Thorn Ridge Vineyard, from which we received his Swan selection. Akiko liked the barrels from these 2 vineyards so much she chose 3 barrels from each lot to go into the 2005 Akiko's Cuvée.

The other contributors to the 2005 Sonoma Coast were the Bailey, Guidici and O'Connor Vineyards. This was the 2nd year that Freeman and Bailey worked together. Frank and Cynthia Bailey's beautiful 2.5 acre property is the closest of all our vineyards to the winery. Leonard and Gerry Guidici's young 5 acre vineyard is just above the town of Occidental and has enormous potential for the future. And the O'Connor Vineyard is a major contributor to the 2005 Russian River Valley Pinot Noir. Both Guidici and O'Connor were new additions to the Freeman portfolio in 2005.

The 2005 Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir starts with deep, plum aromas, but is a bit shy when it is first opened. There is a sweet core of rhubarb fruit and black tea on the palate that is balanced by ample tannin and acidity. The finish is marked by enticing French oak that goes on and on. Give this wine until 2008 for it to soften and come out of its shell, but don't be afraid to open one before then.