RJ Spagnols Cellar Classic

[Rocky]

I am going to put on a Cellar Classic Cabernet Sauvignon with Grape Pack today. It has a bag of wood chips and I was wondering if anyone ever put the wood chips in the cloth bag with the grape skins. It seems like it would work and cut down on the amount of "junk" in the lees making it easier to rack. I have seen where people put the oak in a cloth bag by itself. Is anything lost in combining this with the skins? 

 

[ibglowin]

Probably not as long as you are punching down the bag 3-4X a day. Which CC Cab Sauv is this?

 

[robie]

I agree with Mike. Do punch it down.

 

[Dean]

Better yet, take some heavy shot glasses and put those in the bag with the skins and oak. No punchdown needed, and same results! The alcohol as it's being made does the extraction of the skin compounds for you.

 

[ibglowin]

It goes without saying that you should first drink what's in the shot glasses!

 

[robie]

Better yet, take some heavy shot glasses and put those in the bag with the skins and oak. No punchdown needed, and same results! The alcohol as it's being made does the extraction of the skin compounds for you.

That will do it! I weight the bag down, also, but I still like to stir in the foam and mix in a little oxygen a couple times a day during the primary phase.

 

[Rocky]

Probably not as long as you are punching down the bag 3-4X a day. Which CC Cab Sauv is this?

Thanks, Mike. I punch it down multiple times a day (too much free time!)


Sorry, too, people, this posting was mis-categorized and should have been under R J Spagnols. Someday I will get striaght the difference between "Cellar Craft" and "Cellar Classic." The kit is RJ Spagnols Cellar Classic Winery Series Cabernet Sauvignon with Grape Skins, the kit that George had on special last month.

 

[ibglowin]

Moved to RJ Spagnols thread and updated the kit type.

 

[Rocky]

You are magical, Mike. How did you do that? I saw the posting on the RJ Spagnols thread and I though I was really losing what is left of my mind.

 

[ibglowin]

Using the magical powers of an administrator for the forums!

 

[Wade E]

Personally Id keep them separate so as not o over crowd that fermenting bag and not get good exposure to everything.

 

[Brent2489]

Hmmm...two bags are better than one??

 

[Rocky]

I really have to admit I was not a proponent of bags in the beginning but after using them on my last two wines, I am a raving fan. It really makes the job easier in general, but particularly when racking.

 

[Rocky]

I am really beginning to become a big fan of the R J Spagnols Cellar Classic Winery Series! These are some very nice kits, easy to make and excellent results. I have just gone to the first racking with a Cabernet Sauvignon and I have a Zinfandel on that I am going to blend with a Muscat. Both doing very nicely, great color, taste and depth of flavor.

 

[Wade E]

Now you know why its all Ive been making for years!!! I now make most of my wine from grapes but without spending $220 on 1 kit I feel this is the most bang for the buck!!!!!

 

[Dean]

Shhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh! If the others know, the price might go up! We'll keep this a secret. I've tried them all and personally, I think that RJS has the best, and most richest tasting kits out there.