WineXpert Aging

[Bob007]

I'm confused regarding the amount of time before my wine is properly aged. I made an Eclipse Stags Leap Merlot. I've read that if you intend to age it longer than 6 months you should add k-meta. I decided not to as I also read that gives some people headaches. So, does this mean the wine is ready to drink after 6 months? I've read that with reds you should wait 1-2 years. What would be the maximum amount of time I can age this?

Thanks

Bob


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[aryoung1980]

I'm curious about this too. I'm currently fermenting my first batch of Pinot Noir.


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[sour_grapes]

Couple of things. The notion that sulfites gives people headaches is largely untrue.

Of course, you can drink your wine after 6 mos. However, it will not be as good as it will be after a year or 18 mos.

What is the maximum time? Well, that depends on your sulfite levels, the quality of your cork, your cellaring conditions, any added tannins, etc. I don't think there is any reason to believe you cannot age your Eclipse kit 7 or 8 years. Some people here have reported their wines have started to go downhill after 4 or 5 years.

 

[Stickymatch]

I contacted Winexpert a few months back about this very topic. Their response was, under optimal cellar conditions...3-4 years max. I plan on taking at least one of my bottles of Stag's Leap to 5 years, just to taste if it's gone downhill. This is assuming I have the willpower and don't consume it earlier.

 

[SouthernChemist]

If you took care of the bottle, a good cork, and had proper sulfite levels, I could see the wine lasting 3-4 years at least. I think there was a story posted (either on this forum or another) within the last year of someone finding a nearly 10 year old bottle of a LE Italian Verdicchio that was still very drinkable after all that time. I still have some bottles that are close to 2.5 years old (both reds). Both are probably at their peak now.

 

[Elmer]

Just for the record I have never had a bottle taste good at 2 years.
this had nothing to do with cellar conditions, sulfate levels, corks or any of that.
It is due to will power!
I have been unable to keep bottles around to reach the 2 year mark!

Best of luck!

 

[ShaunDanz]

I have Stag's Leap Merlot in bottles that is 223 days old and 733 days old. The older Merlot is a completely different wine than the younger. Coincidentally I bottled both of them on day 141. It was around day 500 that the wine became amazing.

I was smart the second time I made it, I made three kits instead of one. Now I should have enough to make it to two years.