2014 Carmenere Blend

[jas3019]

I'm trying to plan for this spring's Chilean juices and have decided I want to do a carmenere. Like many people recently, I plan on adding a lug of grapes to the juice for some extra flavor/mouthfeel. The big question is...what type of grape should I use?

Sure I could use carmenere grapes but why not use a different type to give it a little different taste and maybe make it a bit more complex? Right now I'm thinking to use syrah grapes but that's just because I like syrah wine. Is that a crazy idea? I could also go more traditional with a cabernet or merlot. Any thoughts on these?

I should add that this will be my first legit red wine and I'm going to MLF and oak it. My first juice bucket was a viognier last fall but obviously didn't do all the red wine tricks to it.

 

[Boatboy24]

Petit Verdot would be good if you can get it. Google "Purple Angel". It's an excellent wine that is predominantly Carm, with a little PV.

I think you choice of Syrah would be good, as would Cabernet Sauvignon.

 

[jas3019]

I've been following your 2013 Chilean adventure..any thought on how the carmenere/malbec is?

I'm probably just going to be getting my juice and grapes from Harford Winery again so kind of limited to the bigger varieties. They haven't updated their site for 2014 yet but I spoke to them yesterday and they said it was in the process.

 

[Boatboy24]

I've been following your 2013 Chilean adventure..any thought on how the carmenere/malbec is?

It's pretty good. It came out of the barrel last weekend. Another month or two and I'll bottle it. Malbec is in there now and will stay for 3-4 months.