RJ Spagnols Which to bottle

[Wild Duk]

Of these 2 RJS EP wines. Which one do you think would benefit from being in the carboy longer....The NZ Pinot, or the Delu Ranch Cab.


I started them both around this time last year and would like to bottle one of them soon, and let the other sit for about 6 more months....


Thanks

 

[robie]

Are you planning on making any adjustments, like oak, tannins, biolees, or acid, to either wine at this point?

 

[Wild Duk]

wasn't planning to...

 

[robie]

If you are not going to do any adjustments, it doesn't really matter which you bottle, first.

I bulk age, also. IMO, after a year in the carboy, there is not much advantage in not bottling the wine. Especially since you are not aging in a barrel. (I also assume you don't have any oak currently in the carboys.)

Also, if you don't have a very stable temperature, as atmospheric conditions change, a certain amount of "breathing" is done by a carboy.
This breathing allows some oxygen to be drawn into the carboy. This
affects the SO2 levels inside. Be sure to check these levels and add any needed kmeta every 3 months or so.

I recently read a professional wine maker's report that tests show leaving a wine under air lock for extended periods of time (passed a year for sure) can allow much of the wine's nose, aroma to escape. So, which ever one you leave in the carboy, I'd use a solid bung.

Some wineries leave their wine in the bottle for a full year or more before distributing it.

So:
My first choice would be to bottle both of them.
Second would be to bottle the Pinot to protect its delicacy. Place a solid bung in the Cab carboy and test every three months.

 

[Wade E]

The Cab would need more time as there is much more solids in there and much more tannin also.