Mixing barrels

[sdelli]

I have last years harvest of Sonoma Cabernet in an American Oak Barrel that also gets cycled through an older Hungarian barrel for extended aging. So far... Best tasting wine I have ever made! I have purchased a new French Oak barrel with plans to start using it from this years Chilean grape crush when it arrives. Would I do more good or damage to my Sonoma Cab by introducing it to a French barrel for some exposure time after it has been in these others now for almost a half year?


Sam

 

[vabeachbear]

I have last years harvest of Sonoma Cabernet in an American Oak Barrel that also gets cycled through an older Hungarian barrel for extended aging. So far... Best tasting wine I have ever made! I have purchased a new French Oak barrel with plans to start using it from this years Chilean grape crush when it arrives. Would I do more good or damage to my Sonoma Cab by introducing it to a French barrel for some exposure time after it has been in these others now for almost a half year?


Sam

Assuming that its a smaller barrel, I'd say you'd do more harm. When using a new barrel on my wines, I find that I can only keep it in that new barrel for around 6 weeks, without over oaking the wine. The fact that you've already had it in the American oak barrel which I assume is not neutral at this point, don't think you need or would benefit from the short time in the new french barrel.

The best thing you can do in my opinion is when you move it to the older Hungarian barrel (which I assume is neutral at this point) for as long as you can stand it. The longer the better.

 

[ibglowin]

I like the layering effect of using the Vadai for as long as possible and then a few ounces of either french oak or american oak beans once the wine is back in a carboy. This means you can't be in a hurry to bottle. I would start the new barrel with an unoaked wine and then once your Sonoma Cab has settled back down, give it a taste and see if the oak level is lacking in any way. If so add it to the french barrel for a few weeks and see what happens. The only caveat is that american oak can be fairly overpowering with its characteristics so use your tastebuds and your head.