Cellar Craft C.C. old vine zin smells like jalapeno

[gird123]

I made a big mistake. I did my CC old vine zin (01/16/11) in the same primary that I made my jalapeno in 4 months prior. I soaked the primary with oxiclean for 5 days. I could not smell any jalapeno when i started the zin. I did a sample last night and the smell is overwhelmingly jalapeno. The taste has a early pepper taste then finishes more like a zin.

One experienced wine maker said add lots of oak. Any other ideas would be appreciated. Do you think it will mellow? I think my actual jalapeno is getting hotter.

 

[ibglowin]

Well at least one of the normal Zin traits is spice and pepper so it could be worse, plus it should go great down the road with BBQ!

That said, this is still a very young wine and its hard to tell if this will hang around for a long time. Oak will definitely help mask the jalapeno I would think. I would let it bulk age for 3-6 months and let it settle down. Then if its still overpowering add a couple ozs of oak for a month and see if that helps it.

 

[gird123]

that is what i will try. thank you

 

[Wade E]

A couple of rackings may help that go away also.