WineXpert Eclipse Pinot Noir (comments, notes and random comments)

[Elmer]

Started my eclipse Sonoma county Pinot noir.
I was taken aback by the 2 packs of oak dust. A high end kit using dust. Not only did the dust lack any strong oaky smell, it turned my must to sloppy mud.

The smell of the just itself was quite unremarkable, it definitely did not have a distinct smell or character to it prior to fermentation as have other We kits (Barolo, Brunello).

Also the SG was 1.100 , which is higher than I had expected.

I expected more right off the bat, but this just means my expectations can be exceeded.




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[seth8530]

Oak dust is actually useful in the primary fermentation stage to help with holding colour. As far as how much it will contribute to the flavour, I am not so sure.

 

[Elmer]

I intend to bulk age and oak with 3oz of Hungarian oak cubes!

So the flavor I am not so concerned about.

Maybe the quality will make it all worth wild



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[bakervinyard]

Started mine about 3 weeks ago. Fermentation started off good. I got really busy with work and all and didn't rack to secondary till a s.g. of 1.000. I racked and then it stalled, was at .998 for a week, I stirred and put on the brew belt to raise the temp. A couple days later was at .997, waiting to get to .996 to stabilize. Bakervinyard

 

[ibglowin]

Pinot is about the most delicate red wine there is.

That is why they included oak dust or powder. It will impart a delicate oak flavor and let the delicate Pinot Noir shine through.

And now your going to hit it with 3oz of Hungarian Oak cubes…….

Enjoy your wine…...

 

[Elmer]

Pinot is about the most delicate red wine there is.

That is why they included oak dust or powder. It will impart a delicate oak flavor and let the delicate Pinot Noir shine through.

And now your going to hit it with 3oz of Hungarian Oak cubes…….

Enjoy your wine…...

Yes, Yes I am.
Because that is how SWMBO likes her Pinot Noir!

Smokey, Oaky and full of wood!!!!

 

[ibglowin]

Aha. Now I see the method to your madness!

 

[Elmer]

Aha. Now I see the method to your madness!

SWMBO, drinks Mark West, which is oak.

I used 3 OZ, and 1/2 of dark american oak on a batch of Pinot Noir and it came out to be surprisingly, not as oaky as one would think.

it is a darker pinot noir, and that is still ok in my book.

Now I am not sure how the Eclipse is going to compare when it gets oaked, considering it is a higher end kit to begin with, but we will see!

 

[richmke]

Any thoughts on the Eclipse Sonoma Pinot Noir vs the LE Oregon Pinot Noir? The LHBS is selling out its inventory of LE 2013 Oregon Pinot Noir. I did not pre-order it, so wondering if I should pick one up now at $139.99.

 

[ibglowin]

Have you tried Oregon Pinot? Its very different from California Pinot. Both kits should have top of the line juices but the flavor profile will be very different!

 

[DoctorCAD]

Have you tried Oregon Pinot? Its very different from California Pinot. Both kits should have top of the line juices but the flavor profile will be very different!

Ive got that one fermenting right now. I found mine to be exactly opposite of the OP, fruity, right on 1.092 and a nice addition of shreaded oak. I added some FT rouge soft tannins pre-ferment.

 

[francois_du_nord]

DoctorCAD,

How much Rouge Soft did you add? I bought the LE Pinot kit as a first. I've done two lower end kits in the past 30 days, and think I might be ready to start the Pinot. I also bought some French light oak spirals, and was thinking maybe a half of one.

Thoughts and or suggestions?

TIA, Fran

 

[Elmer]

Late last night I went and checked to make sure Ferm had started.
I stuck my noise under the towel and took a big healthy sniff.
Upon further consideration this batch is smelling sweet with a subtle hint of oak.

So i may be impressed after all.

now, if it could only have the taste of a freshly cut garden hose, life would be grand!

 

[DoctorCAD]

DoctorCAD,

How much Rouge Soft did you add? I bought the LE Pinot kit as a first. I've done two lower end kits in the past 30 days, and think I might be ready to start the Pinot. I also bought some French light oak spirals, and was thinking maybe a half of one.

Thoughts and or suggestions?

TIA, Fran

1 1/2 teaspoons, not sure of the weight.

I like my Pinots in the Willammette Valley style, very light oak and soft tannins. Very fruit-forward.

 

[francois_du_nord]

DrCAD: thanks those are some good guidelines.