Cellar Craft Oak and Rosso Fortissimo?

[sour_grapes]

I have one quick question, and it may bring up a longer, more subjective question.

-Quick question: Does anyone recall if CC Showcase Rosso Fortissimo comes with oak cubes? My memory is so poor that there is no way I could remember if it was in the box. I cannot find any in my winemaking area.

-Next question, if anyone has an opinion: SHOULD it be oaked (more than the sawdust in primary)?

Thanks!

 

[Boatboy24]

Haven't made that one, but in Super Tuscan style, I'd say it should be oaked.

 

[sour_grapes]

Okay, thanks Jim! I found an older thread here that suggested it should have oak. If it came with mine, I couldn't find it, but I added 30 g of Hungarian Med+ toast that I had bought at my LHBS.

 

[eblasmn9]

My notes say it came with 40 grams of untoasted American oak chips and 40 grams of medium toast French oak chips that I put into the primary. The first time I made the kit, I didn't have a barrel so I also used 40 grams of medium plus Hungarian oak cubes in bulk aging until I got the oak profile I was looking for. The second time I used only the American oak in primary and sent it two months through a fairly new Hungarian oak barrel.
This is a very good wine and holds up to oak really well.

 

[sour_grapes]

Thanks, Earl. Mine also came with two packages of chips for primary. I believe you say that it did not come with cubes for later. Like you, I added them, so all is good!

Thanks,

 

[terroirdejeroir]

Mine came with three bags of chips for the primary: 30g French heavy, 30g French medium, and 30g of "Premium Oak". I used all the included oak as directed and did not add any oak for bulk aging. I don't typically tweak a kit much the first time I make it.

Mine is eight months old now and getting outstanding reviews from my circle of friends. Planning to do a blind taste test tonight with RF and Super Tuscan. The Super Tuscan is about 18 months old now and should win, but we enjoy the tasting.

 

[eblasmn9]

...Mine is eight months old now and getting outstanding reviews from my circle of friends. Planning to do a blind taste test tonight with RF and Super Tuscan. The Super Tuscan is about 18 months old now and should win, but we enjoy the tasting.

I was sitting here at 2:00 in the afternoon wondering what I should drink tonight (I really don't have a problem do I?).
Then I read your response and my problem is solved. My WS Super Tuscan is about the same age as yours at 19 months. The older Rosso F. is 23 months old so it should be a pretty even comparison. For the longest time I kept wondering why everybody thought the WS Super Tuscan was so great. At 13 months the Rosso had a lot of fruit and very little sweetness to it and was very good. Every time I drank the Super Tuscan at 12 months and on all I could think of was a kit taste cherry with a cola finish (Cherry Cola). At 17 months the sweetness dissipated and hints of roasted coffee came out with really nice depth. It has grown up into a fantastic wine.
I have never drank the two side by side in on sitting. I think I will change that tonight.

 

[terroirdejeroir]

I have never drank the two side by side in on sitting. I think I will change that tonight.

So don't leave us hanging - how did it turn out? My tasting was canceled due to the polar vortex

 

[eblasmn9]

I really think it comes down to personal preference. I am no professional wine taster ,but I know what I like. Both wines have been hyped by many different people and they are some of the best I have made that haven't been limited editions. What I mean by personal preference is do you like a more new world fruit forward mid palate less complex finish or something that is old world , more subtle and complex with a longer finish.
Rosso has plenty of dark fruit even at almost two years old. After taking a drink it almost immediately hits you; I really like this wine. It is very smooth with good body(mouthfeel). The Super Tuscan after taking a drink I immediately thought, no not quite as good. Then the finish lingered longer and was more complex and I thought wait just one minute. This wine might be better.
I would not be afraid to serve either one to my favorite friends and have. I have gotten complements from both wines. As for me, I tend to fall for the less complex and more fruit forward. I told you I wasn't a professional. Those with a more refined wine palate would probably choose the WS Super Tuscan.
All I know is I like wine!