Jeremy’s Berry Blend

Posted by Ben in 2009, General, Other, berryJan 5th, 2010 | No Comments Here's Jeremy's Berry Blend.  Homebrewed, though I don't know the ingredients.  Let's see what comes through...

In the glass: Jeremy's Berry Blend shows as very light red in the glass, with elements of pink and light brick.

On the nose: Poured without a decant and swirled vigorously, the berry wine pours out an overwhelming fruit punch aroma, sweet and friendly and lifted high with the alcohol.  

On the palate: The first element is a bright and dry berry bite at the back of your tongue.  Then a nice balance builds between the fruit, the acid and the light sweetness.  A violet/lavendar perfumed aroma comes on at the later point in each sip, racing across your mouth.


And the finish: Sweet acids wrap up the sip, with elements of that intriguing perfume lingering.

In summary: Overall, a well-balanced, light, tangy, friendly and punch-fruit driven experience.  Though red in color, the balance of sugar, acids and fruits more resembles a pleasant, off-dry white wine.  Definitely worth a return visit!

Pressing the 2009 Mendocino Zinfandel

Posted by Ben in 2009, General, Other, pressing, zinfandelNov 1st, 2009 | No Comments After three weeks of cold (approx 62 degrees F) fermentation, today I pressed the 2009 Mendocino Zinfandel which was acquired as fresh grapes.

Yield was approximately 9 gallons from four crates of grapes.

2009 Mendocino Zinfandel Arrives

Posted by Ben in 2009, General, Other, yeasts, zinfandelOct 11th, 2009 | No Comments This weekend, four crates of zinfandel grapes arrived from Lucchesi Vineyard from Potter Valley in Mendocino County, CA. They come from older vines on St. George root stock. They look to be in great shape, and are delicious fresh. They will comprise the Chez Ray Mendocino Zinfandel, 2009, vintage.


Similar to the Lanza merlot, I will ferment in separate batches with different yeast in each, accordingly:


Lalvin ICV-D254
Mendocino Zinfandel (ZM9A)

Lalvin ICV-D80
Mendocino Zinfandel (ZM9B)

Lalvin BM45
Mendocino Zinfandel (ZM9C)

2009 Mendocino Zinfandel Arrives

Posted by Ben in 2009, General, Other, yeasts, zinfandelOct 11th, 2009 | No Comments This weekend, four crates of zinfandel grapes arrived from Lucchesi Vineyard from Potter Valley in Mendocino County, CA. They come from older vines on St. George root stock. They look to be in great shape, and are delicious fresh. They will comprise the Chez Ray Mendocino Zinfandel, 2009, vintage.


Similar to the Lanza merlot, I will ferment in separate batches with different yeast in each, accordingly:


Lalvin ICV-D254
Mendocino Zinfandel (ZM9A)

Lalvin ICV-D80
Mendocino Zinfandel (ZM9B)

Lalvin BM45
Mendocino Zinfandel (ZM9C)

Suisun Valley 2009 Grapes Arrive

Posted by Ben in 2009, General, Other, cabernet sauvignon, merlot, petite sirahOct 4th, 2009 | No Comments Grapes for the 2009 Chez Ray vintage arrived this weekend from Lanza Family Vineyards in the Suisun Valley, just southeast of Napa Valley, CA.

Although I had plans to subject the entire 2009 vintage to Enoferm RP15 (aka VQ15, VQ-15, or RP-15) yeast, the grapes arrived before my yeast. So my yeast and grape schedule was as follows:

Lalvin ICV-D254
Lanza Merlot (ML9A)

Lalvin ICV-D80
Lanza Merlot (ML9B)

Lalvin BM45
Lanza Merlot (ML9C)

Mixed: Lalvin D254, D80, BM45
Lanza Cabernet Sauvignon (Rock Vineyards) (CL9)
Lanza Cabernet Sauvignon (Koch Vineyards) (CK9)
Lanza Petite Syrah (PSL9)

I used Go-Ferm to reconstitute yeast, and built an approx half-gallon starter by adding crushed grapes during the course of a day. I'll get the ferment going at room temperature, then move to a cooler basement ferment after a couple of days. Basement fermentation proceeded at approximately 65 degrees F.