What's in your glass tonight?

[Boatboy24]

I'm making meatballs and sauce this afternoon and I always put about 1/2 cup of red wine in my sauce. So I cracked a bottle of my 17 month old Winery Series Super Tuscan. Of course, I had to snag a taste - my first one since bottling in November. WOW!!! Just a tiny bit hot, but awesome wine. I poured the rest in a decanter and will enjoy that in a couple hours. I have one bottle left from my first batch of this wine - just over 3 years old now. Haven't had any of that in about a year, but I'll be doing a side by side judging soon. I'm only making 4 or so red kits a year now, but this should be 3 of them.

 

[JohnT]

a REALLY nice 2014 cab! i barrel aged it for 12 months. very nice indeed! perfect for tonight's beef burittos.

 

[Boatboy24]

Slight change of plans. While the sauce and meatballs were simmering, I decided to filter the Carrusel (RJS LE, Chardonnay/Viognier). Knowing I'd lose some to the filter, I went into my smallest 6gal carboy so I wouldn't have to top up. I ended up with about a glass and a half left in the housing. So I'm starting my evening with that, then moving to the Super Tuscan as dinner approaches.

The Carrusel is nice: I'm getting pineapple and peach on the front end, with a nice crisp bite on the finish. If you concentrate, you can just sense that little bit of oak that was included in the primary. Otherwise, it is quietly in the background, providing some body and mouthfeel, but staying out of the way (as I think it should with this blend). Sadly, the tell-tale floral nose that was in the juice is gone. Hopefully, it'll reappear as time moves on. The wine is only 2 months old though, and its very good for something this young.

 

[ceeaton]

Did the beer thing most of the day (Labatts Blue) and graduated to the last of a keg of beer I added an ounce or so of Citra hops (as dry hops) last Friday (8 days ago). Man, it has really picked up a great hop character. Bottled two bottles for my younger brother (he loves Citra hops) and finished the keg. Then went to a sip or two of 14 month old Concord/Niagara from Welchs frozen concentrate (a bit sweet after all those hops) and finally ended up with a glass of my Merlot blend from last spring that was in the decanter from last night. The Merlot wins hands down (even over the dry hopped beer). Pulled a bottle of SE Sangiovese out to fill the decanter up after I drain it in the next few minutes.

Cheers!

 

[sour_grapes]

Opened my 3rd bottle of the CC Showcase Walla Wall Cab/Merlot. It is now 22 mos. old, and is starting to kick ass!

Edit: Upon re-reading, let me qualify that this is my 3rd bottle from this batch. Not my 3rd bottle of the evening!

 

[Tnuscan]

Did the beer thing most of the day (Labatts Blue) and graduated to the last of a keg of beer I added an ounce or so of Citra hops (as dry hops) last Friday (8 days ago). Man, it has really picked up a great hop character. Bottled two bottles for my younger brother (he loves Citra hops) and finished the keg. Then went to a sip or two of 14 month old Concord/Niagara from Welchs frozen concentrate (a bit sweet after all those hops) and finally ended up with a glass of my Merlot blend from last spring that was in the decanter from last night. The Merlot wins hands down (even over the dry hopped beer). Pulled a bottle of SE Sangiovese out to fill the decanter up after I drain it in the next few minutes.

Cheers!

It just so happens I'm sitting here pullin on a Sangiovese myself.

 

[vernsgal]

For me it was an RQ Sangiovese Merlot.Nothing special for dinner ..but both grandbabies asleep at the same time!

 

[geek]

Opened my 3rd bottle of the CC Showcase Walla Wall Cab/Merlot. It is now 22 mos. old, and is starting to kick ass!

Edit: Upon re-reading, let me qualify that this is my 3rd bottle from this batch. Not my 3rd bottle of the evening!

Paul,

Many folks rave about that kit, is it that good? [emoji4]

When did it really start to shine?

 

[sour_grapes]

Paul,

Many folks rave about that kit, is it that good? [emoji4]

When did it really start to shine?

It was good from the get-go! I just checked my notes, and it was nice even just after clearing. My notes at that point and at bottling say things like "Berries, cherries, vanilla, almost sweet even though SG=0.992." It had 60 g of oak chips and 100 g of oak cubes. I also, as noted, added some FT Tannin Rouge. You can taste the tannins, but the effect is quite nice.

 

[geek]

Thanks Paul.

 

[sour_grapes]

Thanks Paul.

No problem, Varis. You made me realize that this is (I think) the best wine I have made so far. Probably I should fire up another batch, huh? For some reason, you don't see this kit too much; my LHBS (Northern Brewer) stopped carrying CC Showcase, but, even when they did, they never had this one. I see that one of our sponsors, Home Brew Supply, has it for a fantastic price. Also, Fine Vine Wines has it at a reasonable price.

 

[Boatboy24]

I see that one of our sponsors, Home Brew Supply, has it for a fantastic price.

That IS a good price. I wish their flat rate shipping applied to kits. But even with 'regular' shipping it's still a bargain.

 

[ibglowin]

You see HBS price on the SB Rose! Seriously crazy price.

That IS a good price. I wish their flat rate shipping applied to kits. But even with 'regular' shipping it's still a bargain.

 

[Boatboy24]

You see HBS price on the SB Rose! Seriously crazy price.

Over $25 to ship to me though and its out of stock. Still, it'd be a couple bucks less than I paid at LP.

 

[ibglowin]

In stock next week I think

 

[vernsgal]

Tonight was a quieter night (phew)Pinotage with roasted chicken,seasoned fries and salad.
After babies in bed had a medium bodied merlot

 

[geek]

You see HBS price on the SB Rose! Seriously crazy price.

Very surprised to see that price, shipping is like over $28 for me but may compensate if I compare to LP price.
Will keep in mind for sure.

 

[ibglowin]

You guys in the NE have LP, I need somebody close to me here in the Southwest with some "Crazy Eddie" styled prices! LOL

 

[geek]

Yep, I pay around $18 shipping for 18L kits at LP....and get my shipment in 2 days...

 

[ColemanM]

2/2013 WE Amarone. Still something off about it. Very little kit taste but it is there. In the background. A sweetness after the finish. Smells of anise which is actually appreciated. But that's it. Needs more oak and more tannin. Much more pleasing than last year but still not there as a "wine". Though winter/spring my tastes prefer something 40-45 ABV, maybe this will be pleasing in the fall.