The Pacific Quartet is very nice for day of bottling. 10.3% final alcohol, no oak, but did have a “susse-reserve” pack added after secondary fermentation. Did not filter, but wine is still very clear and very light greenish-golden in color. A lot of acidic notes in the nose, with citrus and apple. Zingy flavors of […]
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This kit came with 60 grams French oak AND 60 grams toasted oak. I “let” this one bulk age for an extra month (i.e., really didn’t have time to deal with it). 14.5% final alcohol. Got 30 full bottles + 2 full glasses! Not filtered. A little soapiness on the nose. Very dark garnet in […]
Even though it’s only been a few weeks, I wanted to pop another one to try. Still not quite ready. However, after a few days in the fridge it did mellow out and was quite drinkable. It’s close!
Coming together very nicely, almost there. A little off odor in the nose, strong scent of oak with nectar. Nice flavors of peaches, apples, and some pear with oak integrating nicely. Actually, tastes a lot like a caramel apple. Doesn’t taste quite like chewing on a stick like it did when younger. Should be ready […]
After the foam mess, I skipped the optional second racking of this wine, since I already lost so much volume in that debaucle. As a result filtering was definitely necessary. But, it all seems OK after everything that went wrong. Very nice at bottling, should need about 2-3 months to be more drinkable. Nose of […]
The cab-merlot was the only wine I made without the drill-driven mix-stir. My first Spagnols kit (limited release Riesling) said to degas longer than the Winexpert kits said, which made me do some research on degassing wine kits. After tasting several wines now, and retasting my cab-merlot, I am starting to understand the importance of […]
Still a little weird soapy odor on the nose, with underlying plum. Slightly fizzy and still a little sour. Not bad, but not great. Still very young, though.
This is the first Spagnols kit I’ve done, and the instructions are a little different from Winexpert. They said to stabilize and clear at the first racking; but mine was still fermenting. It foamed up and over the top very quickly! Of course, the one time I have the wine out in the kitchen and […]
It looks pretty, but way too young to even attempt a rating. Very dark inky purple. Light fruity nose with that funny soapy/basic smell and taste that the Cab/merlot had when young. Heavy tannins, very rich flavors of dark fruit and hints of spice and leather lurking in the background. Definitely tastes young, and this […]
Opened for cooking and decided to have a taste. Nose developing nicely, lots of strawberry and overripe fruit. This bottle has a slight fizz. Flavors getting richer, good plums and black cherry with hint of leather or earthiness. Not so sour. Not a depth of richness, though, but it is changing so much over the […]