What's in your glass tonight?

[Boatboy24]

My younger son talked me into buying a jar of Luxardo cherries, as he said they are the bomb for making Old Fashioned. Who am I kidding? I'm just looking for a reason to do things, and he provided it. [These are stupidly expensive.]

My elder son is present for today's BBQ (smoked brisket and chicken), and I made us each a drink. His eyes lit up at the first taste.

Note -- I stir all ingredients except the cherries to mix. Then I add 1 cherry + cherry syrup, but do not stir. The syrup is thick and doesn't mix. At the very end the cherry (which sucks up a lot of rye) + the syrup make for a great finale to the drink.

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Expensive? Yes, but they are worth every penny!

 

[winemaker81]

Expensive? Yes, but they are worth every penny!

Yup! But I'm going to make that jar last.

Although I've had more Old Fashioned in the last week than in the last 2 years, so some plans just don't work out.

 

[Hazelemere]

Dineen Vineyard Cabernet Franc 2020

Perfect condition 14.9% alcohol all hand destemmed and fermented uncrushed and unsulphited.

22 day ferment with RC212 yeast.

Treated with medium toast American oak cubes 30 per 5 Imperial gallons for 120 days.

Sulphited at the end of malolactic fermentation after racking off of the oak cubes at 50 parts per million and bottled at 75 parts per million total sulphite.

Here are my winetasting comments:

Colour: purple, inky mahogany

Smell: clean, cocoa, plums, blackberries, cherries

Acid - slightly high which is surprising for grapes this ripe

Tannin - high which is surprising considering fermentation of uncrushed grapes

Flavour - intense with a long finish

Afterthought - This is a massive wine and needs eons to age to drop its tannins, acid and maximize its bouquet. I'm inclined to leave all of it alone for at least 3 years. I would absolutely make it again. It has no vegetal character e.g. French Chinon in an average year. I have 14 left so it has lots of time to age if I keep my mitts out of it which I intend to do. If you can get Dineen Vineyard Washington grapes go for it.

 

[Rice_Guy]

After visiting with @Kraffty and his bride it seemed appropriate to have a Syrah he made.

Very well made.

 

[Boatboy24]

I think the numerous storms in the area kept this place VERY quiet last night. We didn't see a drop of rain and had a relaxing time on the porch of this nice winery only 5 miles from home. Sitting up on a bit of a hill, we had a nice fireworks show put on by Mother Nature. This is still young, but 15 minutes in the glass with frequent swirling helped it come into its own. As usual, their Viognier was very nice. @mainshipfred: they were cleaning up from crush when we walked in - I thought I might see you there.

 

[winemaker81]

The Merlot/Grenache has been in the bottle a month, so I had to try it. I'm pleased with this one and will repeat the process (grape pomace + kit or juice).

Oddly enough, the Grenache is a dominant flavor in this, and it's certainly in the nose.



The Merlot/Tempranillo hasn't been in the bottle as long, but I had to compare it. I like the Grenache better, but this one is a keeper. Sadly, I only have a case of each.

 

[David Violante]

This was very good… the owner has decided to stop winemaking after 25 years and was selling off his equipment and supplies. This bottle is from their last vintage. More tannic than I’m used to but lots of flavor. His family just loved making wine together and gave most of it away.

 

[wineh]

Elk steak and olivieri ricotta and spinach ravioli. The last cab syrah made for club members. All were delicious!

 

[winemaker81]

My younger son and DIL are in town this weekend, so I opened the last bottle of Cabernet Sauvignon I made for their wedding reception 2 years ago.

Most of the bottles were labeled with a picture taken at her sister's wedding earlier that year, but I produced a joke label they loved, which went on a quarter of the bottles at the reception.




I'm not sure her parents were pleased, but since my son and DIL liked it, this label was presented.

 

[winemaker81]

The non-joke label:

 

[jswordy]

Elk steak and olivieri ricotta and spinach ravioli. The last cab syrah made for club members. All were delicious!

That steak looks perfect, too!

 

[jswordy]

The non-joke label:

View attachment 105484

It's the best gift ever! Made blueberry wine for my niece's wedding in similar fashion. They were just blown away that I did that.

 

[winemaker81]

It's the best gift ever! Made blueberry wine for my niece's wedding in similar fashion. They were just blown away that I did that.

View attachment 105505

Agreed. Money is easy, but making something special is a real gift. I was very happy to do it!

 

[jswordy]

 

[centaurusint]

May be some white wine

 

[Jovimaple]

Welcome to WMT! (@centaurusint )

 

[ibglowin]

Long time no post here. Everything but the kitchen sink tossed in and Red Mountain fruit no less. 5 Star QPR. DNS!

 

[Boatboy24]

Long time no post here. Everything but the kitchen sink tossed in and Red Mountain fruit no less. 5 Star QPR. DNS!

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Interesting blend. You had me at Touriga Nacional.

 

[cmason1957]

This might be the best kit I have ever made and by the firelight.

 

[Boatboy24]

View attachment 105657

This might be the best kit I have ever made and by the firelight.

Which kit?