WineXpert Eclipse cab tweaks

[markb1983]

Hello! I'm looking at adding a pound of raisins to my eclipse cab kit. It is currently in its 3 day in the primary fermenter.

Anyone have any favorite tweaks to a cab they want to share?

 

[SouthernChemist]

Any particular reason you want to add raisins to this kit?

 

[cimbaliw]

I'm leaving mine untouched. Actually, I haven't made it yet. I did however, taste my Eclipse Zin tonight. At day 26, it's living up to expectations. It certainly put ideas of purchasing an oak barrel into my head.

BC

 

[markb1983]

Adds a bit of body? I want to try a few new things just not sure what

At the eclipse zin, it's amazing mine is around 3 months bulk aging

 

[LoneStarLori]

If you want a full body wine, raisins and some tannin will add body. I have done it to a couple of kits and have to say it does improve the outcome. If you want to see the process, check out Joeswine pictorial or my white.

 

[Pumpkinman]

Why would you add raisins to a premium kit that includes a premium grape skin pack?

 

[Brew and Wine Supply]

Leave the Eclipse alone, too good to play with. do you really want to play with tweeking top of the line kit unless you have more experience than the producers? Like playing with a Ferrari when you can only work on a Chevy.

 

[tonyt]

Since it already comes with a grape pack I would not add raisins also. I started mine back in March and tasted it last weekend, I believe it is absolutely delicious. Plan to bottle it in about 3 weeks. Mine received two tweaks, 1 and 1/2 teaspoon of Grand Cru Tannin and 1 French oak spiral. This was my first Eclipse kit I am quite impressed.

 

[markb1983]

Thank you everyone for the input. I want to start advancing my wine making skills over time. I figured adding raisins in would be a start

Ill take your advice and leave it alone. However I'm gonna try the joeswine amarone next

 

[ibglowin]

Raisins work OK with Italian varietals IMHO but I can definitely taste the profile that the raisin gives off so I would only add to an italian varietal that didn't have any sort of grape pack in it.

What yeast is coming with that Eclipse kit?

 

[Gwand]

Eclipse kit

Since it already comes with a grape pack I would not add raisins also. I started mine back in March and tasted it last weekend, I believe it is absolutely delicious. Plan to bottle it in about 3 weeks. Mine received two tweaks, 1 and 1/2 teaspoon of Grand Cru Tannin and 1 French oak spiral. This was my first Eclipse kit I am quite impressed.

TonyT. My eclipse cab kit has been bulk aging for one month. The flavors are evolving nicely. When did you add the gran CRU Tannin and the French oak spiral. Thanks.

 

[tonyt]

Glowin, the yeast with the Eclipse Lodi Cabernet was Lalvin EC1118.
Gwand, I added the GrandCru Tannin after three months of its six month bulk aging. Thats also when I added the French spiral. The spiral stayed in carboy for seven weeks.

 

[ibglowin]

I would swap out the yeast with RC212 (2 packs) or D254 as well as some Booster Rouge. This would of course void the warranty.

 

[Gwand]

Eclipse cab tweak

I would swap out the yeast with RC212 (2 packs) or D254 as well as some Booster Rouge. This would of course void the warranty.

Ibglowin. Please explain reasons your choices.

 

[ibglowin]

EC1118 is supplied in 99% of kits because it is the Terminator of yeast. About as bullet proof as a yeast can be at getting the job done i.e. fermenting to dry. It is not however the best yeast to use flavor profile wise. There are at least half a dozen better yeast that produce much better flavor profiles. However, they are not as strong and unstoppable as EC1118 at doing their jobs and they need considerable more "babysitting" than EC1118. Some high end red kits are now using RC212. D254 is my favorite yeast for Cabernet Sauvignon and it is a very strong fermentor most of the time. If you have the experience under your belt plus the time to watch your fermentation closely, monitor it for problems (and know how to quickly correct them) , a yeast substitution is probably the biggest (easiest) tweak you can do right off the bat.