Six month mark.

[Rusty Nesmith]

My Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot are both reaching the six month aging process. We tasted them a couple of days ago and not too bad. I bought a Argentina Malbec and will probably start fermentation tomorrow.

 

[opus345]

Are the wines already bottled or? Love Barrel/Carboy tastings during aging.

 

[montanarick]

they should continue to get better as they age longer. Don't drink them all too soon

 

[Rusty Nesmith]

Are the wines already bottled or? Love Barrel/Carboy tastings during aging.

They are both still in carboys.

 

[CabSauv]

Do another 6 months. Worth it.

 

[opus345]

Do another 6 months. Worth it.

This.

 

[Rusty Nesmith]

Dumb question. What would be the difference between another six months in a carboy or bottles?

 

[mainshipfred]

Dumb question. What would be the difference between another six months in a carboy or bottles?

Really not a dumb question at all, you will probably get differing opinions. Your wine is still going through many changes and if bottled you have what you have. If left in a carboy you have the opportunity to make adjustments should you see necessary.

 

[Rusty Nesmith]

Really not a dumb question at all, you will probably get differing opinions. Your wine is still going through many changes and if bottled you have what you have. If left in a carboy you have the opportunity to make adjustments should you see necessary.

Thanks that makes sense now.

 

[winemaker81]

Yup, there is controversy on the topic of bulk aging. My $0.02 --

If you are aging in a barrel, further bulk aging produces changes due to evaporation through the wood of the barrel. Keep aging or bottle at your own discretion.

If aging in a carboy, if you are less than satisfied with the wine and want to make tweaks, keep it in the carboy.

If the wine is clear and has been clear for a month and you do not want to tweak, bottle it.

 

[DizzyIzzy]

Dumb question. What would be the difference between another six months in a carboy or bottles?

Remember Rusty.....no such thing as a dumb question! We are all learners.

 

[Rusty Nesmith]

I bottled the Cab Sauvignon. Got a little over 30 bottles. My wife liked it and thought it was good. The Merlot is still in the carboy. We thought it was better than the Cab so I will probably bottle it in a few weeks. I have six gallons of Argentina Malbec fermenting right now. Thanks everybody for your help it is greatly appreciated.