Fast fermenting merlot

[Jal5]

picked up a juice bucket last Friday and pitched the 1118 yeast Saturday. It fermented like crazy for two days. Today the SG IS DOWN TO 1.002 a fast fermentation. We have had a heat wave here and our AC broke so the house was warm in the 80s which sped things up I guess. I put it under airlock today- lots of fruit flys in the kitchen.

 

[jsbeckton]

What was the OG? Maybe it was already fermenting when you got it...

 

[Jal5]

OG was 1.084
House temp was 81
Juice temp was 86
It went fast in five days down to 0.996 in 7 days down to 0.994 and racked to carboy

 

[Jal5]

Second racking today to get it off the lees. This looks and tastes like it will be a good one

 

[Jal5]

Racked again today off the 1.5 inch lees. Used a vacuum rack for the first time....WOW. MAKES IT EASY. This merlot tastes pretty good for such a young wine. Been on one stick medium American oak since Oct. 4 will leave it in for several more weeks. Looking good.