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While bulk aging, it is easy to ignore wine.
Several times a year, I make it a point to go "Around the World" and check each and every batch of wine I have going. I do this every 2 to 3 months and last Saturday was one of those days. I evaluated all of my 2014 and 2015 batches (a total of 11 different wines).
After all the work, sweat, sore muscles, stress, stickiness, and all the times I am soaked to the skin scrubbing and cleaning, I can not tell you how nice it is to visit the more glamorous side of the hobby. My "around the world" days are just like every romantic winery scene that you see in the movies. I even put on some classical music to set the mood.
It is not all romance though. I do take the opportunity to test SO2, TA, PH, and also give the tank a sniff for any off odors, and (most importantly) give each wine a good, long, taste.
My 2015s are just about done with MLF. I do not do a chromatography test, I simply check for the tell-tale buttery quality of the wine when tasting it. On all but 1 of the 2015 wines, the MLF seems right where I want it. This more resilient strain that I used this year is wonderful! Much better results over the vinaflora eonos that I have been using. I am definitely going with this strain from here on out.
All of the 2014s are doing great. They are definitely maturing nicely. When bottling season begins in 4 or 5 months (once spring has thawed things out) they should be even better.
I find that when I take the aroma of a wine where everything is just right, I can not help but smile and say "WOW". I am sure that you folks know what I am talking about. This is when you have a wine that has all of it's characteristics come together in a euphoric symphony. The wife chuckled and found it funny that I said "WOW" on each tasting. I am excited to say that each and every batch I have going was simply superb!
Once our "around the world" was complete, and all observations logged on each log sheet, it was time to pick the "cellar best". Hands down it was the 2014 super cab! It has matured so well and the vanilla overtones of the wood I use has blended in nicely! The deep, dark color was nice and the wine had a body like Gina Lollobrigida! It is so good that I have decided to bottle it next weekend (200 liters).
For some strange reason, I slept very well Saturday night. I even had an extra hour of sleep thanks to the time change.
Next Saturday, I will rack the 2015 and bring the SO2 up to the appropriate level for each wine's PH.
Sorry if the above post seems a little self centered and boastful. It is just that I am so thrilled at the results of the last 2 years. I truly hope that the rest of you are as happy!
Several times a year, I make it a point to go "Around the World" and check each and every batch of wine I have going. I do this every 2 to 3 months and last Saturday was one of those days. I evaluated all of my 2014 and 2015 batches (a total of 11 different wines).
After all the work, sweat, sore muscles, stress, stickiness, and all the times I am soaked to the skin scrubbing and cleaning, I can not tell you how nice it is to visit the more glamorous side of the hobby. My "around the world" days are just like every romantic winery scene that you see in the movies. I even put on some classical music to set the mood.
It is not all romance though. I do take the opportunity to test SO2, TA, PH, and also give the tank a sniff for any off odors, and (most importantly) give each wine a good, long, taste.
My 2015s are just about done with MLF. I do not do a chromatography test, I simply check for the tell-tale buttery quality of the wine when tasting it. On all but 1 of the 2015 wines, the MLF seems right where I want it. This more resilient strain that I used this year is wonderful! Much better results over the vinaflora eonos that I have been using. I am definitely going with this strain from here on out.
All of the 2014s are doing great. They are definitely maturing nicely. When bottling season begins in 4 or 5 months (once spring has thawed things out) they should be even better.
I find that when I take the aroma of a wine where everything is just right, I can not help but smile and say "WOW". I am sure that you folks know what I am talking about. This is when you have a wine that has all of it's characteristics come together in a euphoric symphony. The wife chuckled and found it funny that I said "WOW" on each tasting. I am excited to say that each and every batch I have going was simply superb!
Once our "around the world" was complete, and all observations logged on each log sheet, it was time to pick the "cellar best". Hands down it was the 2014 super cab! It has matured so well and the vanilla overtones of the wood I use has blended in nicely! The deep, dark color was nice and the wine had a body like Gina Lollobrigida! It is so good that I have decided to bottle it next weekend (200 liters).
For some strange reason, I slept very well Saturday night. I even had an extra hour of sleep thanks to the time change.
Next Saturday, I will rack the 2015 and bring the SO2 up to the appropriate level for each wine's PH.
Sorry if the above post seems a little self centered and boastful. It is just that I am so thrilled at the results of the last 2 years. I truly hope that the rest of you are as happy!
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