WineXpert Eclipse

[Kev]

After two years of teasing, it is finally here. I just ordered all 5 reds. On top of LE 2012, it is going to be a busy and productive wine making season.

So what's coming in Eclipse this Fall:


Dry Creek Chardonnay

German Mosel Gewurztraminer

New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc

Washington Columbia Riesling

Washington Yakima Pinot Gris



Italian Piedmont Barolo with grape skins
Lodi Old Vine Zinfandel with grape skins
Lodi Ranch 11 Cabernet Sauvignon withgrape skins
Napa Stag's Leap Merlot with grape skins
Sonoma Valley Pinot Noir



Some additional details:



How are these wines different fromEstate? How are they similar? In particular the Stags Leap Merlot



The inherent character of each wine,particularly in the case of favourites such as Stag's Leap Merlot, werepreserved. Enhancements were made to deliver optimal body, structure andcharacter so that Eclipse wines could directly compete with commercial wines.



Kits are 18L - skins kits are 16l with2l wet grape skin packs



Aging is comparable to Estate. They willdrink well young at 3 months but deliver full character and complexity at 6months and beyond.



Dual yeast for New Zealand MarlboroughSauvignon Blanc and Washington Yakima Valley Pinot Gris to ensure outstandingaromatics for both wine styles.



Two stage oak process to ensure optimalcomplexity and flavour for each style of wine:

Italian Piedmont Barolo with grape skinsLodi Ranch 11 Cabernet Sauvignon with grape skins Napa Stag's Leap Merlot withgrape skins


Kev

 

[Boatboy24]

OK, I'm interested. Where can one obtain these?

 

[Kev]

Eclipse Pricing

The New Eclipse wines are about $140 each in Canada, so they are a bit pricey, but you can always push for a discount if you buy more than one.

I am also going to try the Mosti Mondale Meg Barolo ( Janurary ) this year, so in comparison Eclipse looks reasonable.

 

[Kev]

OK, I'm interested. Where can one obtain these?

Any wine kit retailer that carries WE should have it. The soft launch was two weeks ago to the dealers. It hits the main stream press in November.

You can order now.

Kev

 

[Kev]

What I don't like to see is "drinkable after 3 months". What a waste. I think any full body reds need a year.

Kev

 

[wookey]

Are you sure these are Eclipse thing? It sounds like they made the Estate series with skins and some other adjustments.
On the other forum about a year ago Tim promised that the Eclipse series would not have any skins.

Wookey

 

[robie]

What I don't like to see is "drinkable after 3 months". What a waste. I think any full body reds need a year.

Kev

I have a problem with that statement, too. Doesn't make sense that a really good wine, capable of competing against commercials, could possible be drinkable in 3 months. Good 6 months and beyond? ...OK(???)

Guess it all depends on one's definition of "drinkable". At least the ones with grape packs, IMO, are going to need much longer to have the aroma and mature taste of their commercial equivalents.

 

[Kev]

Are you sure these are Eclipse thing? It sounds like they made the Estate series with skins and some other adjustments.
On the other forum about a year ago Tim promised that the Eclipse series would not have any skins.

Wookey

I am positive, I just ordered them. The dealers have the info.

The soft launch to the dealers has taken place. The hard launch to the press is next month, so Tim on the other forum will likely not be commenting until then.

Kev

 

[wookey]

In that case, it looks like it is going to replace the Estate series. I do not see how they can market them alongside each other. Especially the whites which are identical.

About early drinkability, it was promised from the beginning. According to the sources from the other forum, it was the main reason of the 2 year delay in the program, they were not very happy with the results. WE released SI with skins as a step towards the Eclipse. It is also advertised as early drinker.

Wookey

 

[Brew and Wine Supply]

Are you sure these are Eclipse thing? It sounds like they made the Estate series with skins and some other adjustments.
On the other forum about a year ago Tim promised that the Eclipse series would not have any skins.

Wookey

Just spoke with the distributor, they are not in the U.S. yet and with no ETA

 

[Kev]

That is probably the case. I did not ask, but the dealer commented that they were doing a price comparison with the Estate series, before putting out their price list.

 

[Kev]

Link to the Eclipse ad.

http://www.facebook.com/TopCellarsInc

Scroll down on this Facebook page to see the ad.
You do not need a Facebook account.
Just close the window if it asks for one.

Kevin

 

[Kev]

Eclipse ultra premium

With dual Yeats, and skins , I do think we will have and amazing upgrade to the Estate series.

Many LHBS in BC are now advertising and taking orders

http://www.niagarabrewclub.com/eclipse-a-whole-new-world-of-wine/

Kev

 

[wookey]

Sounds good. Although I am afraid it will cost too much in the UK. We have the Estate series on sale for about 120 pounds. I dare not to think what the Eclipse will cost.

Wookey

 

[Sheepdog]

I was going to purchase the LE2012 Nebbiolo with skins, but will wait for the Eclipse Piedmont Barolo with skins.
I'm just starting the Brunello with skins, which has two yeasts. Wonder if WE will keep the existing wines with skins as the premium, or move them to the Eclipse line.
Cheers,

TJ

 

[Kev]

Straight from WE's Tim, on another forum:

"Well, the cat's out of the bag on that!

Since I helped write that stuff in the link, I will testify to it's truth. And, we're delivering asap--probably start arriving in the US by the last week of October.

And we've run down the stock of regular Estate, so it's unlikely that there will be any on offer before the new ones come in. Sorry!"

November is going to be a great brewing month!!!

Kev

 

[Sheepdog]

The waiting and wondering is over:

http://www.winexpert.com/products/ultra-premium/eclipse

 

[Boatboy24]

Just need to figure where and when we can get them now.

 

[Boatboy24]

Anyone hearing any more on these?

 

[Billy8998]

Sounds good. Although I am afraid it will cost too much in the UK. We have the Estate series on sale for about 120 pounds. I dare not to think what the Eclipse will cost.

Wookey

Surely the estate series will e discontinued,this seems like Rebranding to me.