2018 Lodi Cabernet Sauvignon

[Donz]

John, I noticed your bottles all have the plastic shrink tops on them. How do you apply them? Boiling water? Steam? I can never get them on perfectly.

 

[Johnd]

John, I noticed your bottles all have the plastic shrink tops on them. How do you apply them? Boiling water? Steam? I can never get them on perfectly.

I have a charcoal lighter called a “LooftLighter”, which I use to shrink them on. It’s much like a heat gun / hairdryer combo, and works like a charm. https://www.looftlighter.com/en/home/ Does the job in seconds, no water, no wrinkles.

 

[Boatboy24]

I have a charcoal lighter called a “LooftLighter”, which I use to shrink them on. It’s much like a heat gun / hairdryer combo, and works like a charm. https://www.looftlighter.com/en/home/ Does the job in seconds, no water, no wrinkles.

That's a pretty cool little toy.

I use the boiling water. Simple, and the steam gives me one final chance to clean the outside of the bottles before applying the labels.

 

[sour_grapes]

I have a charcoal lighter called a “LooftLighter”, which I use to shrink them on. It’s much like a heat gun / hairdryer combo, and works like a charm. https://www.looftlighter.com/en/home/ Does the job in seconds, no water, no wrinkles.

Oh my goodness, I want one! Santa and his elves might have to hustle this year, since they previously had nothing to make for me.

 

[Johnd]

That's a pretty cool little toy.

I use the boiling water. Simple, and the steam gives me one final chance to clean the outside of the bottles before applying the labels.

Oh my goodness, I want one! Santa and his elves might have to hustle this year, since they previously had nothing to make for me.

It’s pretty slick for sure, been using one for years, it’ll change the way you start your lump charcoal. Keep one up at the property for the Primo up there as well.

 

[mainshipfred]

That is really slick

 

[Donz]

I have a charcoal lighter called a “LooftLighter”, which I use to shrink them on. It’s much like a heat gun / hairdryer combo, and works like a charm. https://www.looftlighter.com/en/home/ Does the job in seconds, no water, no wrinkles.

would love to see a quick video of you doing a bottle with this gadget.

 

[mainshipfred]

would love to see a quick video of you doing a bottle with this gadget.

$36.00 at Home Depot

 

[Ajmassa]

would love to see a quick video of you doing a bottle with this gadget.

I’m thinking would be no different than using a heat gun. But a little tool you can DIY makes all the difference. Which is just a thick metal rod with an offset bend to be able to keep pressure down on the capsule as you shrink it.

 

[sour_grapes]

$36.00 at Home Depot

I couldn't find it at homedepot.com. Can you provide a link?

 

[Johnd]

I couldn't find it at homedepot.com. Can you provide a link?

$36.00 at Home Depot

Not saying there's anything wrong with it, but it’s not the Looftlighter, it's a knockoff. Here’s the link: https://www.homedepot.com/p/HomeRight-ElectroLight-Fire-Starter-C900046-M/206740534

 

[mainshipfred]

Not saying there's anything wrong with it, but it’s not the Looftlighter, it's a knockoff. Here’s the link: https://www.homedepot.com/p/HomeRight-ElectroLight-Fire-Starter-C900046-M/206740534

You're right, it's not. I think yours has a bottle openner. Now we need to find one with a cork screw as well. LOL!

 

[Boatboy24]

Not saying there's anything wrong with it, but it’s not the Looftlighter, it's a knockoff. Here’s the link: https://www.homedepot.com/p/HomeRight-ElectroLight-Fire-Starter-C900046-M/206740534

Or is the Looflighter the knockoff? Hmmm...

 

[cmason1957]

Here is the tool I have and use for opening bags and then, if I apply shrink wraps. They go into the J part of this tool, then into boiling water for a very short time.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0064OKJ4S/?tag=skimlinks_replacement-20

 

[Johnd]

Or is the Looflighter the knockoff? Hmmm...

Looft was patented in 2010, got mine in 2011, never seen anything similar til now, so I suspect Looft is not the knockoff........

 

[Ajmassa]

Here is the tool I have and use for opening bags and then, if I apply shrink wraps. They go into the J part of this tool, then into boiling water for a very short time.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0064OKJ4S/?tag=skimlinks_replacement-20

That’s essentially the same tool I’m using too. I don’t have a pic handy, but same idea. But using a heat gun with bottles upright instead of boiling water and bottles upside down— so same tool (metal) with an extra 90° bend

 

[Johnd]

That’s essentially the same tool I’m using too. I don’t have a pic handy, but same idea. But using a heat gun with bottles upright instead of boiling water and bottles upside down— so same tool (metal) with an extra 90° bend

When using the heat gun / Looft type device, you don't need that tool. Just set the capsule in place and hold the bottom of the capsule with your fingers while passing the heat stream over the top of the capsule this shrinks the top to the bottle top, quick spin of the bottle with your hands while directing the heat lower shrinks the bottom part in place. Takes maybe 5 or 6 seconds.

 

[CDrew]

I just use my heat gun, in the exact same way. Works great.

But that is a cool charcoal lighting device, and I'm going to get one! Thanks for pointing it out.

 

[Johnd]

Back on track with a quick update. After filling a barrel I typically check it after the first week, and that was today. Quite a surprise to see the levels so low, though I know new barrels gobble wine, it took nearly 1/2 gallon to top up tonight. Fortunately had the 1/2 gallon jug awaiting, suppose that I’ll have to bottle the 6 gallons for future toppings....

 

[Ajmassa]

When using the heat gun / Looft type device, you don't need that tool. Just set the capsule in place and hold the bottom of the capsule with your fingers while passing the heat stream over the top of the capsule this shrinks the top to the bottle top, quick spin of the bottle with your hands while directing the heat lower shrinks the bottom part in place. Takes maybe 5 or 6 seconds.

Yea man. I know it’s not necessary. Just keeps my digits away from the heat gun. Really anything could be used simply to steady the cap. I just use a heavy gauge wire with some bends on it rather than my fingers.
Btw— have you taken a ph reading recently on the cab?
And Merry Christmas!