Cellar Craft CC Lodi Old Vine Zinfandel w/Grape Pack

[ibglowin]

The sorbate taste dissipated 6-9 months after addition. So the earlier you add it, the faster it will dissipate. If you want to add it, add it when you add the K-Meta and fining agents, then let it sit for 6 months. By bottling time it should be just about gone.

A couple of things, as they say YMMV! You may not be able to detect it. The other thing is it seems to be worse with white wines and not as noticeable with reds.

 

[Randoneur]

Perfect, Thanks. For this one I'll add it with degas/kmeta/finingper directions. I was going to age 6 months anyway.

 

[Bacci]

When did you add spirals? after the racking from stabilize/clearing stage. Which oak spiral did you use. French or American, light, med or heavy - toast? I am about to rack RJS Zin WS from secondary fermentation.

 

[Randoneur]

Bacci,
In about 6 months I may be able to give my initial opinion on this comparison. I made both kits last winter and are both around 9-10 months since fermention. I bulk aged for 9 months and can say that they tasted similar at bottling. I don't have my notes with me at work but I added 2 oak spirals to one of the kits as it appeared to me a bit light on the oak.

RickC,
When did you add the oak spirals to the one kit??

 

[RickC]

I added the spirals during bulk aging. American Oak, Medium Plus. I don't have my notes here with me but if my memory is right I left them in for about 3 weeks. Tasted at 2 weeks and waited another.

 

[AlFulchino]

that is pretty fast when you consider oak cubes often state that the minimum is 6-8 weeks

 

[Bacci]

My plan is toracking down to 5 gal. carboy plus a 1 gallon jug and then adding the spirals tothe carboy to bulk age,but want to goafull 3 months before bottling. Don't know if that'stoo much oak for the Zin but have the option to add back in the unoaked gallon upon bottling. I traded in my 6 gal carboy (24.5 LT), the Italian was just too much volumeto keep diluting or topping up on past Grand Cru kits. This is my first premium WS kit and wanting a more full bodied wine.Also, hope adding the spirals will help with less topping up. Is that a planor what !

 

[AlFulchino]

what is the manufacter ( of the spiral) suggesting as far as how many gallons to use w that particular spiral and for how long immersed?

 

[Bacci]

The Barrel Mill American Med Toast. Directions call for2 spirals to 6 gallon carboy, fully extracted in 6 weeks. Leaving an extra 2 months is OK?I couldadd only one spiral or blend later with gallon of unoakedZin.

 

[Randoneur]

The Barrel Mill American Med Toast. Directions call for2 spirals to 6 gallon carboy, fully extracted in 6 weeks. Leaving an extra 2 months is OK?I couldadd only one spiral or blend later with gallon of unoakedZin.

If it is fully extracted in 6 weeks, how could leaving it longer be a problem? Of course you could only use 1 spiral, oak effect would be half as much.


6 weeks is pretty quick to be fully extracted. I thought spirals were slower than cubes. In order of speed I though it was oak dust, oak chips, oak cubes, spirals, barrels (depending on age).


I always use oak cubes and thought it took 3 months with a recommended dose for about75% extraction and6 months for 100% extraction. And yes I know, you need to go by taste.


I hope someone canenlighten me if I'm wrong on this

I'm planning to add some cubes to my OVZ during bulk aging, so it would help to know more about this.

 

[v1rotate]

George has his recommendations listed in his website :

<div id="sizing" ="tabcontent" style="padding-left: 10px; display: block;">American White Oak Spirals - Medium Plus Toast</span>

Aromas of honey, roasted nuts and a hint of coffee and spices.</span>

This
package is enough to flavor a total of 6 gallons. Perfect for the home
winemaker. 2 sticks fit perfectly into a 6 gallon carboy.</span>

Place directly into the wine. Oak flavor is fully extracted in 6 weeks. Withdraw sooner for a milder taste.

</span>French Oak Cubes House Toast - 1 pound</span>

Recommendation: 2-3 oz. per 6 gallons for 2 months

So it does appear that the spirals give up the oak quicker than the beans.


</span>

 

[Randoneur]

I was planning on going to the low end, 2oz dose of oak cubes. I was planning on carrying over the oak at racking later on, but based on this there is no need to do it as long as its been in there for 2 months.
Thanks.

 

[Randoneur]

Put together my label for this wine today. It's ready and waiting for the wine bottles to be filled.

 

[RickC]

Great job on the label.

 

[uavwmn]

I have made both brands and feel they are great equally.

 

[uavwmn]

Very nice label!!!!

 

[AlFulchino]

indeed....very nice label

 

[ibglowin]

Great job all the way around!