Cellar Craft Amarone!

[joeswine]

Just my oppion




THE OVERALL CONSTRUCTIVENESS OF THE YEAST IS TWO FOLD


FIRST AND FOREMOST it connects with the overall wine style profile and trys to bring out what the natural characteristics of the finish producer or wine master is trying to achieve.
(KNOW YOUR WINES CHARISTICS)

SECONDLY, it's other and important role is to produce alcohol in a controlled fashion ,once again depending on the wine acidity, temperature and type yeast to be used to achieve that end.

(KNOW YOUR YEAST ABILITIES AND ATTRIBUTES)

PLANNING..KEY TO WINE MAKING.....

MANUFACTURES, use 1118 in most cases because they don't have control over the temp your working in or the type of wine the yeast is being applied to ,GOT IT?......1118 is the fix all, not that there isn't alternatives there are, as described by others here on this thread ,HOWEVER,IN MY EXPERIENCE AND MINE ONLY, for most kits and new wine makers should stay with the prescribed yeast until you have good Control over the wine making process and understand the ramifications of THINKING OUTSIDE THE BOX.........you can change the whole profile of the kit as well. and that can be a detriment to the wines finish.

 

[Geronimo]

And that goes back to my original statement that I'd make each kit once just the way they packaged it. If you throw oak, tannin and yeast changes at a kit and wind up with a wine you don't like, what do you know really?

 

[joeswine]

Thinking outside the box

TO DO THIS you first have to understand the principles of wine making OR BE TUTORED to that end ,then you'll understand,IT ALL COMES WITH TIME AND NOT BEING AFRAID TO TRY.

 

[markb1983]

This is my favorite new hobby! It is up there with playing rugby!

Both have costs and rewards. Rugby has concussions and bad wine making is expensive! But everyone has to lose the training wheels sometime!

 

[Gwand]

My Cellar Craft Amarone kit arrived today. Yipee!

 

[tonyt]

My Cellar Craft Amarone kit arrived today. Yipee!

You are in for a treat. I just opened my first bottle a couple days ago, pitched Feb. of 2012 and Bottled Dec. of 2012. It's already quite good with tons fruit. I'm expecting greatness in another year+.

 

[geek]

how much are guys paying for that kit? Looking for cheapest price....

Want to start an Amarone, either cellar craft or Winexpert.

 

[Dino466]

I think the CC Showcase is usually more expensive. I made it 2 years ago - truly the best wine I have made. But I have not done many high end Winexpert kits.

 

[tonyt]

It's $147.59 at Fine Vine Wines less whatever coupons or certificates you have. Mine is almost two years old and pre-dates the CC price increase I believe.

 

[Geronimo]

IMO the CC Showcase Amarone is the best one, very slightly better than the RJS kit. I plan to do the Megioli kit when they release them.

 

[geek]

I just found it at more wine and it is $131 plus shipping which is $31.
Total is $162, a bit too high....

 

[tonyt]

I plan to do the Megioli kit when they release them.

Great choice just plan on giving it two years or more. You might keep a pack of Superklear on hand, IMO MMMeglioli are difficult to clear.

 

[Geronimo]

Good to know, thank you. It will be the first MM Meg that I've done.

 

[geek]

Guys; I found this online place that has 1 CC Showcase Amarone left, on sale for $132.00 and they have a flat Fedex shipping rate of $8.95

The kit was made on Nov 3, 2012 (per julian date on its label) so it is going to be a year old and the reason it is discounted.

Total delivered to me: $141.00

My other option is a Winexpert Selection International also made last year (August 2012) for $110 with relatively local pickup for me.

What you think?

.

 

[Dino466]

CC Showcase is the one - good price. Winexpert SI is the next step down. Ok price on it.

 

[geek]

I wonder....is the Winexpert Eclipse the equivalent to the Cellar Craft Showcase?

 

[Dino466]

IMO, I think RJS EN Primeur, WE Eclipse, CC Showcase are on the same level. Never made an Eclipse but the other 2 are outstanding. And I would assume that the Eclipse is too.

 

[roger80465]

Showcase Amarone

I opened my last 2010 Showcase Amarone last evening. I had been saving that bottle specifically for our Christmas Eve gathering. I had been looking forward to that treat for a LONG time.

It did not disappoint! While aromas weren't as powerful as I was hoping, the wine was incredible. It was like drinking silk on your tongue. Ambrosia! Great fruit and, without question, the best wine I have ever had in my life. This kit was made totally according to manufacturer instructions - no tweaks.

For those waffling on an Amarone or which Amarone to buy, do not hesitate with this one. What is messing with my mind is a thread that said the EP
Amarone was even better. I have one in bulk now so we will see. I just can't imagine surpassing the Showcase. If it does, you won't hear from me for awhile - I'll be hanging out in Nirvana. I just hope I can save more than 1 bottle for the 3 year mark.

Merry Christmas to all.

 

[Geronimo]

Yep, IMO the CC Showcase Amarone is the best, followed by the RJS Winery series Amarone and then closely followed by the EP Amarone. Yes, you read that right, I put the lower cost Winery Series kit ahead of the EP series kit.

My favorite commercial Amarone is the Tommasi which you'll usually find for $80 a bottle and 5+ years old (required 5 years by DOCG). The CC Showcase is not quite in the same league, but excellent no less.

Italian reds (minus Cabs) are house favorites. Brunellos, Barolos, Barberras, Super Tuscans and Amarones are all on my short list.

 

[eblasmn9]

I couldn't agree with you more Geronimo. The longer I have been making wine the more I realize how much I like the Italian varietals that you listed. I just bottled the Cellar Craft Amarone at nine months and I have not made a bolder, better body wine to date. I cant' wait until it grows up a little bit.
I have been considering making the En Premier Amarone, I find you comments on the winery series interesting. I will consider it for my next Amarone as well as another Cellar Craft.