RJ Spagnols Premier Cru

[Wild Duk]

I've only seen this producton one site so far. Has anyone ever tried these kits, just wondering how they would compare to their EP line.Looks like you don't add any water, it an all juice type...


http://crosby-baker.com/products.php?cat=136&nav=265

 

[Dean]

This is a concentrate kit with the water added. According to Lisa Jones, the RJS service Manager, quality of this kit will be between a regular Cellar Classic Lineup and a Cru Select Lineup. That still puts it below the Cellar Classic Winery Series and En Primeur.

The only advantage to this kit, is that if you have a very poor water supply, they have already added the water for you. However, extra shipping costs because of the added weight may apply. Remember, this is a kit with water added and not just juice. With the exception of Mosti Mondiale, all 23L kits that I've done in the past have been a disappointment. I've not made anything in this lineup due to previous 23L kit experiences.

 

[Wild Duk]

Hey thanks.

 

[cpfan]

Some of the 23 litre pail kits were developed to meet a demand from areas with poor quality water. As pointed out, it is not necessary to add your own water. Certainly this is why Vineco brought out their 23 litre Vinterra product. I have been very pleased with the Vinterra Merlot and Shiraz.Last month, I bought another Vinterra Shiraz at 25% off. According to Vineco, Vinterra is mostly juice with some concentrate.






As with all things there is a range of qualities in the 23 litre products. Unfortunately, Dean did not comment on which brands he was disappointed with.


RJ Spagnols brought out their first 23 litre line called Bolero in about 2001. At least one of their salespeople oversold the qualities of this product. In general the whites are better than the reds (the Pinot Grigio may be the best of them), but they are probably about the same as their Grand Cru line, ie mostly from concentrate. About 2007, the Premier Cru line was quietly launched as a premium 23 litre product. I have no experience with it, but I believe that Dean is correct about it's quality being between regular Cellar Classic and Cru Select. I would expect it to be more juice with some concentrate, and thus a better product than Bolero.


Over the years Mosti Mondiale has made several different 23 litre products. For example in 2001 to 2004 (roughly), they made a line of 23 litre kits for their Western Canadian distributor. The Cab Sauv was not well-liked, and the Merlot was very good.


I am hearing excellent reports on their current All Juice offerings, but have not tried one. Perhaps this is the product that Dean has made.


Steve

 

[Dean]

I've made and was sorely disappointed by:

RJS Bolero Grenache
Paklabs Selection Amarone
Paklabs OnyxV Cabernet Sauv/Zinfandel blend
Paklabs OnyxV Gewurtztramminer
Advintage Mosto Italiano Merlot
Advintage FC Collection Syrah

The only ones that I have found to be acceptable are the Mosti products, and even then, the AllJuice is just okay in my opinion. The Masters Edition or Meglioli are the ones that I would do again.

The main Annacis Island office for RJS is about 10 minutes from my house, so I feel no need to buy a kit that has the same water added to it as that I get from my taps too

 

[cpfan]

Dean:


Thanks for the list.


I have no experience with that Bolero kit, but as I said the whites are better than the reds.


I have not made any of the Paklab 23 litre kits, but would not expect them to be as good as the Bolero kits.


I have lno experience and little knowledge about the Advintage brands. For reasons of my own, a brand that I won't buy.


I would expect both Premier Cru and Vinterra to be better than the kits that Dean listed. However, I haven't made any Premier Cru kits, and only the Shiraz and Merlot Vinterra kits.


Steve