RJ Spagnols Winery Series Meritage

[pracz]

Hi all -

Has anyone started the Meritage kit yet? Just curious on first impressions. I am torn between this kit and the CC Cabernet Merlot. Both sound great.

Thanks,

Pete

 

[Dean]

I just started it when it was released last November. I won't be able to give you an opinion until at least the last 1/2 of 2011. It smelled nice, and I have great hopes that this will be close to many of my favorite meritages out there (Delille Cellars D2! and Mission Hill Oculus)

 

[robie]

If you like red blends, you will likely be very pleased with any meritage.

 

[DrJack]

I have one going right now in the carboy that was started just a couple weeks ago. Smelled really good in the primary andI have hopes that this one will turm out well.

 

[mhaines]

I just received the kit, my first RJ kit.....question...do you use the 2 oak chippacks and the oak spiral all in the primary, or is the spiral used in the carboy during bulk aging? Can't wait to get the kit going!


Thanks,
marc

 

[Dean]

the spiral is in the primary and gets transferred to secondary as well. The oak chip packs are for the primary only.

 

[mhaines]

Thank you very much Dean, I'm still in that stage of if the directions don't state something in black and white I second guess the steps. Have you kept the spiral in the secondary the whole time you have been aging?

 

[Dean]

No, spirals can easily over oak the wine. I kept in secondary until it was time to degas, and stabilize. Then I kept it for 2 more weeks and took it out. I'll check taste in 6 or 7 months and determine if it needs more.

 

[mhaines]

Thanks again Dean! I got the kit going yesterday and it's starting to smell great!