Help pick a Shiraz

[tonyt]

What Shiraz do you suggest? Time to age doesn't matter, I will bulk age at least 7 months, three of which will be in barrel. I will not drink for a year after bottling. I want the most fruit forward with spice. I will add untoasted American oak dust up front.

Mosti Meglioli limited Shiraz, 23ltr w/grape pack ans raisins on closeout sale $170.00

RJ Spagnols EP Australian Shiraz, 18 ltr w/dried grape skins. I love the dried skins. $143.00

Cellar Craft Showcase Yakima, 16ltr w/grape pack, $133.00

Wine Expert Selection Australian Shiraz, $132.00

 

[joeswine]

Tony T

Will you get fresh juice? Or do you just prefer kits? I've have my best making shiraz from juice, although I don't talk about it , much ,I do mine fruit forward, this is Australian style, just curious.

 

[tonyt]

Will you get fresh juice? Or do you just prefer kits? I've have my best making shiraz from juice, although I don't talk about it , much ,I do mine fruit forward, this is Australian style, just curious.

Just kits Joe. Seems to be too hot for me to get fresh juice.

 

[ibglowin]

I have the CC Showcase Yakima Valley Syrah lying down on the racks. Its almost 2 years old. The last split I had about 3 months ago was a "winner winner chicken dinner".....

It had 3 months in the Vadai, extra tannin, and a touch of french oak after the barrel for an added layer. This will be VERY good. I think WA State is the BOMB for Syrah.

 

[Pumpkinman]

Tony,
If you are going to do a kit, I'd go with the RJ Spagnols EP Australian Shiraz, 18 ltr w/dried grape skins, or the Cellar Craft Showcase Yakima, 16ltr w/grape pack, these seem to great great reviews.

 

[joeswine]

On the other hand

I would get a mid-grade kit you know how to do the enhancements with out the cost.

 

[robie]

Hi Tony,

When it comes to fruit forward kits, you just can't to better than what comes from Washington State. I haven't made it myself, the Cellar Craft Yakima Valley would be my choice.

 

[ibglowin]

Well well you made me open the first full bottle. 2 years old this month. Even SWMBO said what is this! Its really good! She is my worst critic and she asked for a second glass tonight. This could be even better than a RMC, yes, I said it, it has a wonderful mouthfeel and long finish. Excellent bouquet to boot.

 

[Bartman]

What Shiraz do you suggest? Time to age doesn't matter, I will bulk age at least 7 months, three of which will be in barrel. I will not drink for a year after bottling. I want the most fruit forward with spice. I will add untoasted American oak dust up front.

Mosti Meglioli limited Shiraz, 23ltr w/grape pack ans raisins on closeout sale $170.00

RJ Spagnols EP Australian Shiraz, 18 ltr w/dried grape skins. I love the dried skins. $143.00

Cellar Craft Showcase Yakima, 16ltr w/grape pack, $133.00

Wine Expert Selection Australian Shiraz, $132.00

I don't know anything about RJS' EP; I think I have only done one of that line, and it was years ago. And I stay away from WE if I have other options on principle, because of their business practices; that's not to say you shouldn't try it, only that I have very limited experience with WE kits in the last 5+ years.
So, between the Mosti Meglioli and the CC Showcase Shiraz, that's a tough choice. Both are pretty good kits- not sure either one is going to yield a bad wine. But for me, the choice is actually fairly easy - Mosti Meglioli FTW! I have never tasted a Meg kit that did not turn out great, although I have made none myself - - and if you can get that qulaity of kit on close-out, I would jump all over it. I believe the 23 liters are all juice and not reconstituted concentrate, so that's a big plus. With the grapes and raisins, I think it is going to result in a real winner. I can't say which one will be more fruit forward, but I think both will be great after 1-2 years.

 

[Wade E]

Ive only made the RJS Winery Series and it was very good. I honestly have not tried any other Shiraz kit to compare it to though so maybe others are better? I must say that IMO I usually gind the Winery Series to beat almost alk other hrands to my taste.

 

[tonyt]

I would get a mid-grade kit you know how to do the enhancements with out the cost.

I totally get what you are saying. I find that no matter what kit I get I wind up finishing it to my own taste with whatever tweaks are needed to get there. I guess I have a big case of Cellar Pallet.

 

[tonyt]

Well well you made me open the first full bottle. 2 years old this month. Even SWMBO said what is this! Its really good! She is my worst critic and she asked for a second glass tonight. This could be even better than a RMC, yes, I said it, it has a wonderful mouthfeel and long finish. Excellent bouquet to boot.

Damn, We did that kit about the same time and mine is all but gone. Actually I forgot the last dose of K-meta at bottling so I just offered it up as an early drinker. So we started drinking it about three months after bottling, it HAD bulk aged several months. It was quite good as an early drink.

 

[Bartman]

So what have you decided to do? Which kit you will you choose? How will you adjust/tweak it, if at all?

 

[tonyt]

So what have you decided to do? Which kit you will you choose? How will you adjust/tweak it, if at all?

Since I have two kits on deck, a free WE LE Nebbliolo and a marked down WE Montepulciano, I am waiting for next months FVW wine of the month and see if the CC Yakima comes on sale. I already have three Meglioli kits in carboy this year and that's enough 200.00 kits for one year. Even on sale that MMM kit is still 170.00+. Thanks for asking I will post when I pull the trigger.

 

[tonyt]

Okay, time to end the suspense, I am pulling the trigger on the CC Yakima Showcase Syrah with skins. I was waiting for the September sale from FVW but George didn't put the CC on sale. Now he announced an on line 10% off now through Sunday. That plus some certificates I have in my FVW account I should get this one for $70.00 or so. I'll likely also get the Kenridge Showcase Shiraz Grenache with grape skins that comes out in December. That should restock my neglected Syrah/Shiraz inventory. Thanks for all y'alls suggestions.

Edit: Change that $70.00 to $120.00 after I added French Oak cubes and spirals, muslin bags and bi-disk corks.

 

[tonyt]

The CC Yakima Syrah arrived yesterday, one day delivery, yeh George. I started it last evening and took the first SG this morning - SG 1.102 that should come out to about 13.5% at dry? I got down to SG .996 when I did this kit last.

 

[WAG]

I've got my 2nd CC South African Shiraz tucked away in bottles. The first batch is awesome! Good flavor, hint of chocolate. I was very impressed. Think I will angle for the Yakima next. I like a fruity Shiraz.