RJ Spagnols Bentonite Taste in Wine

[gary1214]

I started making wine last spring with the first being a California Trinity bottled May 10, 2011. I have 150 bottles of reds up with agiing from 3 months to 6 months. As I sample each one I note a subtle taste that reminds me of the bentonite clay packet that you put in each batch. Is this normal and the result of insufficient aging?

 

[Minnesotamaker]

Is the wine clear with no sediment, haze, or cloudiness?

 

[Wade E]

I highly doubt you are tasting some residual bentonite as that settles out very fast once fermentation is over unless you added much more then the recommended dosage.

 

[HappyWineGuy]

How long do you leave the wine in your primary fermenter?
The wine sitting on the lees too long can pick up that bentonite or even a yeasty taste.
I would recommend first racking after 7 - 10 days to avoid this problem.

 

[robie]

Excessive amounts of bentonite can leave such a taste, but I doubt the amount that came with your kit could even come close.

I'll bet it is a combination of young wine and oak.