Just bottled this about a week ago finally. It samples very well! I like it!
My biggest issue with it (and with my Shiraz but that was acceptable because it was my FIRST attempt at wine)...is that it isn't really a nice clear color. it looks slightly muddy. Not because there is stuff in it...
Just checking in....have not been on the form in a while. BUTTTTT.....
Me like the Malbec! it is my fav of the ones I have done so far! still bulk aging in the carboy but im probably going to break down and bottle it before much longer.
OK I have a question. I got a little busy and forgot about this wine for a minute. Everything was going great, and I was going to (I am) bulk aging it in the carboy. However....
I never added the stabilizer/chitocrapstuff....
I have not even opened to theif a sample yet because I wanted to...
So I made yet another mistake in this batch. Apparently there were 4 bags of oak and I managed to somehow fail to put one in the primary. I think im just going to add it to the carboy when I transfer to secondary.
LOL
so, I am guessing at the time I transfer this to a carboy, I can pull of a little bit and replace with a good quality Malbec and cut the ABV back a little bit? I could be ok with this being about 13 to 14%...but I certainly do not want it 15...even 20% LOL
So I have to get that cut...
so...again, im back to having a hard time reading the hydrometer...where am I at? this is AFTER adding back the water to the 6 gallon mark. I think im seeing 1.102 to 1.104
Am I correct in reading it that way?
Thanks,
Steve
Ok, about 2 hours ago I added back the water I shorted to bring it all the way to the 6 gallon mark. hopefully that will prevent me from having "rocket fuel" LOL
I am about to go ahead and take a new SG reading....since it has only been about 4 hours give or take...I will use the new SG...
I started this kit today (FINALY)
So, I did to a couple of things...First, I did not make make this 6 gallons...but rather just slightly over 5 gallons. I cut back on the water to up the ABV...and I read someone who talked about making all his kits to 5 gallons and has had some luck winning...
Hey John,
I wasn't going to add a whole lot of the tannins...just a touch. :)
the thing that is killing me right now is that I have felt the need to top up because there is a lot of headspace (and I have thieved a few samples as well). So im trying to decide in my head...if I really want...
Ok, update:
I do believe we have achieved goal.
I am going to go ahead and move to degassing and stabilizing!
Tasted it again tonight...surpisingly I liked it better just 4 or 5 days ago. Not because it wasn't completely dry then...but because tonight it seemed to have a bit of...