Oak powder and cubes

[Zog]

I'm starting an RJS En Primeur Pinot Noir kit. It came with both oak powder and oak cubes. The instructions say to add the powder to the primary, but they don't mention what to do with the cubes. Do the cubes go in the primary at the start as well?

 

[Tom]

I would add cubes after its stabilized. Cubes are designed for a slow release compared to chips. Keep it in until you like the oak taste.

 

[ibglowin]

Cubes will go into Secondary after racking off the gross lees. They will stay in for up to several months depending on how much oak you like so you will need to taste along the way. You can also add after fining and stabilizing as then you don't need to mess with pulling out, rinsing, adding back to carboy. They are usually pulled after 2-3 months max unless you really like a whole lot of oak.

 

[cpfan]

I'm starting an RJS En Primeur Pinot Noir kit. It came with both oak powder and oak cubes. The instructions say to add the powder to the primary, but they don't mention what to do with the cubes. Do the cubes go in the primary at the start as well?

Zog:

It's my belief that RJS intends that the cubes go into the primary. some folks have taken them out of the primary, rinsed them off, and then added them to the carboy. However, as the other posts indicate, there are other procedures that you can follow. If you don't like really oaky wines, be VERY CAREFUL with how long you leave them in. It can take a LONG time for the oakiness to mellow out. Yes, that was the voice of experience.

Vinterra Merlot kit started 29th April (instead of the kit oak, added one packet of RJS cubes), to carboy 5 May with cubes, stabilized 31 May. Turned out much too oaky for our tastes. Took at least two years for either the oak to mellow, or our tastes to change. Even at 4 years old, it was still an oaky wine.

Steve