RJ Spagnols Mystery packet

[v1rotate]

I ended up using a chisel to break the staves in half, drilled a hole near the end of each piece and used some fishing line to pull them out with. Seemed to work fine. I'll know in a couple of weeks when I pull the staves out to stabilize the wine, then I'll put them back in for bulk aging.

 

[tonyt]

Jim, how about an update on the Syrah, this is one of the kits I hope to make next year.

 

[v1rotate]

The Syrah is bulk aging and about 2 months old. I'm sure it will be excellent in 2 yrs based on good mouthfeel and body now. It is understandably green tasting at this point, of course but it has a nice level of tannins and a good finish, so I give it a

. Another kit I am very impressed with so far is the RJS Rosso Grande. Inky purple and huge flavor at 6 weeks plus it is over 15% ABV if my SG readings were correct.

 

[ibglowin]

Another kit I am very impressed with so far is the RJS Rosso Grande. Inky purple and huge flavor at 6 weeks plus it is over 15% ABV if my SG readings were correct. 

So what is a Rosso Grande (besides Big Red!)

It's not listed as being a "Super Tuscan" but it sure sounds like one. I wonder what the blend is compared to the RJS "Super Tuscan". For that matter what the heck is a "Rosso Bravissimo".......

They all sound like a Super Tuscan of sorts.

 

[v1rotate]

So what is a Rosso Grande (besides Big Red!)

There was a relevant thread on winepress last January, Super Tuscan vs Rosso Grande Eccellente which is worth a read.

 

[ibglowin]

Thanks for the link Jim!

So its a "secret" blend so no one else can reproduce it........

Its kinda hard to shell out the greenbacks on secret mystery blends.

 

[tonyt]

So, back to the staves. I just racked same kit RJS Sicillian Syras, to clearing in carboy. I
did not add staves in primary but added 3oz Hungarian oak cubes. I now
added one of the staves and plan to add the other one during bulk
aging. Removed the cubes at racking.

What was so surprising to me was that the staves are only about 1/4 inch
square by 8 inches long, considerably smaller than a spiral. Must be
different than the ones Jim had. The other odd thing is how dark they
are. In fact when I drilled a hole in them for fishing line I noticed
that the drill dust was very black and the stave is dark toasted all the
way through the stave. Actually not very far off charcoal but not
quite.

I am glad that I didn't add both yet as dark as they are one could be
plenty. I may consider foregoing the second stave in lieu of an
American or French spiral. Comments? Suggestions?
Stave pictured next to spiral.

 

[v1rotate]

I think I would add both staves, Tony. Syrah should be able to handle a lot of oak. Sample the batch every 2 weeks or so and you can pull the staves out if the sample starts to taste overly oaky.

And yes, my staves were closer to 3/4" square.

 

[tonyt]

I think I would add both staves, Tony. Syrah should be able to handle a lot of oak. Sample the batch every 2 weeks or so and you can pull the staves out if the sample starts to taste overly oaky.

And yes, my staves were closer to 3/4" square.

Good point, i will add the other stave after clearing. In fact I will keep the one in clearing and reuse it in bulk aging. Were your staves black all the way through?

 

[v1rotate]

Were your staves black all the way through?

Yes they were, Tony. I just checked my notes about the oaking process and I had made a comment that 4 weeks with the staves was not enough. I ended up leaving them in the carboy for 7 1/2 weeks before bottling. There aren't any tasting notes on bottling day, but if it had been way overoaked I am sure I would have mentioned it. I won't be sampling until next summer.