Cellar Craft Bottling Day For Red Mountain Cabernet!

[ibglowin]

This one is special folks!

Much has been said about this kit and I have to admit it is all deserved. I was swinging for the fences when I decided to make this one my first kit ever. Glad I did. Bulk aged for 7 months (wished I could have left it longer but I really needed the carboy!) Oak cubes were left on for 3 months. I have tasted this guy all along the way and the left over glass after bottling was truly amazing. What a transformation. Nice acidity, great mouthfeel. Peppery with hints of vanilla. The tannins are starting to soften nicely. Its going to be great in another 6-8 months. I won't be uncorking one until then at the earliest. I used/reused some HEAVY bottles so you know you have something special in your hands when you hold one. I will make one of these each year for sure!

 

[Waldo]

Looks great

 

[Runningwolf]

Awesome looking bottles. Great job!

 

[admiral]

Way to go, Mike. They look great.

I am looking forward to bottling day for my own issue of this wine.

 

[uavwmn]

Mike, OMG........I opened a bottle of mine last night and it is hands down the best red wine I have made!!!! Definintely making another kit!!


Your labels are beautiful. Great job for first kit!!

 

[fivebk]

Mike , They look great !!!!

BOB

 

[robie]

Looks and sounds great, especially being peppery, which I really enjoy. The vanilla is nice, too; if one can let the wine rest on the back of the tongue for a few extra seconds, any vanilla really comes shining through.

To tell the truth, I (still) don't relate to the chalkiness the description speaks about. I have no point of reference for chalkiness. (Earthy???) For that reason, I have stirred away from this kit. Maybe I should think again, huh? I do love a great cab.

Did the kit come with the oak cubes, or did you add them yourself?

Seriously nice labels, Mike.

 

[ibglowin]

This one comes with both chips and cubes and maybe even some sawdust! Lots of oak in this one. The chips are added in Primary and the Cubes are added at Secondary and can be left on for as long as you like if you taste test along the way. 3 months seemed about right for me. I don't think the chalkiness is showing through much at the moment but it should over time be a subtle note. This is probably one of the best Cab kits out there so if you like Cab you should seriously think about this kit.

Just remember this is NOT an early drinker!

If you want a reference point pick up a bottle of Chateau St. Michelle Cab or Columbia Crest Cab (both are made in the same general Red Mountain AVA) and make sure to decant it for an hour so it opens up and give it a go.

Costco has recently added the hard to find Columbia Crest H3 (Horse Heaven Hills Vineyard) Cabernet to their stock. This is a WS 90 point wine that only runs $10.99 a bottle. Seriously consider this one if you can find it in your area as well as a good cross reference wine for this kit. I picked up a half case of the cab and a half case of the H3 Merlot.All very good stuff.

 

[xanxer82]

Very nice!

 

[robie]

I have my two early drinkers (MM Ren Amarone and CellarCraft Cab/shiraz), so it is time to concentrate on something I'm willing to wait upon. (The two I have already made also will get better with time.)

I would love to make a barolo, but have not tasted it; it is so expensive for a sample bottle. Therefore, until I can try a glass of it, I just won't take a chance and make it.

I really like all the Italian wines, but my wife is less crazy about them. I like the RJS Super Tuscan.

I like several blends and personally believe a blend makes an overall better drinking wine.

Then there is the good ole straight-up Cab.

Decisions! Decisions! Decisions!!!

I'm leaning toward the Super Tuscan (Sorry, dear)

 

[vcasey]

DancerMan - Make both .............

Looks good Mike. My Red Mt. Merlot will be bottled or kegged and aged a bit longer in March. Kegging gives me some to taste and protects the rest from disappearing.

 

[Scott B]

WOW - Looks Great.
This is now on a wish list!

 

[ibglowin]

Keg?

As in Corny Keg?

DancerMan - Make both .............Looks good Mike. My Red Mt. Merlot will be bottled or kegged and aged a bit longer in March. Kegging gives me some to taste and protects the rest from disappearing.

 

[vcasey]

Yep.
Much easier to store, move around, protect from light, they take up lots less room and most important it keeps everyone from giving them away while still allowing us to bottle some to enjoy. Once the bar is finished, I'll have one red and one white on "tap" all the time. I really am not fond of bottling!

 

[ibglowin]

Sounds dangerous to have an open flow of "Red Mountain Cabernet"!

Once the bar is finished, I'll have one red and one white on "tap" all the time. I really am not fond of bottling!

 

[robie]

And Florida is not THAT far away!

 

[Mharris335]

My CC Red Mount. Cab is at 2 year mark. It is very good, but still needs more time. I decanted this wine for a few hours and it opens up very nice. But it sure does need the two hours to open up.

 

[ibglowin]

Wow, 2 years!

Your have great self control.......

 

[robie]

MHarris,

I 'd sure appreciate some more tasting notes on this wine, based on what you think it will develop into. I'm interested in possibly making it one day soon.

Is it big and bold? Peppery? Spicy?

 

[vcasey]

Sounds dangerous to have an open flow of "Red Mountain Cabernet"!

[/QUOTE]

I would agree, might be why I have not made the Cab yet. The Merlot is pretty safe.