The rewards and frustrations of home winemaking

Tag archive: tasting note

Racking Cab to the Barrel

We racked the cab out of the lovely grey trash cans into an even lovelier new American oak barrel with medium toast.  Dave and I ended up with a full 30 gallon barrel plus a 6 gallon carboy and another 2 gallon bottle full of fine lees.  I checked the malic acid, and it’s down […]

One Year-ish Tasting of Bourg Rouge

This wine is just fizzy, definitely a freshman mistake on my part. Anticipating fizz, I vacuum pumped the wine before pouring into glasses (no decanting), which might have helped the wine. We will just have to drink another bottle to find out. The wine was definitely better, very well integrated and no soapiness. This wine […]

Riesling 7 Month Tasting

After a long day of pressing, I wanted to bust into some “ready-to-go” wine.  Riesling looked like a great option after a long, warm day.  It has a very faint nose of peach blossoms. Distinctly sweet with nice acidity and flavors of ripe white peaches and hints of pineapple and apricots. Flavors balancing perfectly on […]

Italian Brunello 2-Month(ish) Tasting

Almost 2 month tasting of the brunello. A LOT of oak in the nose, with a weird fruity off-smell. Not outrageously tasty, not quite integrated. Needs to sit. Will decant and taste again.

One Year Plus Tasting of Cab Merlot

Still very foamy. Decanted, tasted shortly after decanting. Nose of sour cherry and herbs. Tart flavors of cherry, strawberry, raspberry with nicely integrated oak toastiness. Coming together very nicely.  Quite drinkable now, but I think time will make it even better.  It still tastes very young.

6 Month Tasting of La Jolla Cave Rhone Red

Opened for a party. Actually quite well developed, lovely deep, dark purple/black in color. Nice bouquet rich with fruits. A little sour, but flavors rich, velvety, and well balanced. Very happy with this one!

Pacific Quartet is Soooo Gooood

We’re really plowing through the Pac quartet, it’s such a great summer wine, so refreshing.  I saw it marked down online, so it was a no-brainer to get another kit.  I wonder how long the second batch will last …..

Cab Merlot Tasting

VERY foamy. “Soapiness” mostly gone, nose predominately of red fruits, including bing cherry and plum. Very smooth flavors of cherry, strawberry, and raspberry, slightly tart but not overwhelming. Pretty long finish as well. Coming together very nicely, even if it is taking its time!

Australian Chardonnay Tasting

Finally ready, just in time for summer! Citrus and oak in the nose. Crisp, slightly tart flavors of green apple and pear with light butter notes. Very nicely balanced, great!

Riesling Tasting

Light floral nose. Very clear, pale golden yellow in color. Crisp, slightly sweet flavors of apple and white peach. Tastes GREAT! Yum!