Barrel nuances in winemaking
The winemakers at Ron Yates Winery -- Todd Crowell and Reagan Sivadon -- take great pride in their barrel program at Ron Yates. Lucky for us, we got to participate in a barrel tasting to see how the same wine has developed when aged in different barrels.Â
(Reagan Sivadon and Todd Crowell)
We tasted 2018 Friesen Vineyard Merlot aged for nine months in a neutral French oak barrel, Heinrich Cooperage barrel (American oak barrel from Barossa), and these four different French oak barrels: Nadalie Expression Rouge Satin Toast, Quintessence Fleur de Quintessence, Boutes Grand Reserve Chateau Toast, and Radoux thin stave, tight grain barrel.
For me, I struggle with identifying grape tannins vs. oak tannins. Crowell says grape tannins often lend bitter notes from the skins and seeds, while oak tannins create a dry sensation around your cheeks.
Here are my favorite barrel expressions from the tasting:
The Nadalie French oak offered notes of cocoa and mocha, with soft tannins. This wine could be bottled tomorrow! Well integrated notes of fruit and tannins.
The Boutes oak offered sweet maple and caramel notes that offset the grippy tannins.
The Quintessence barrel offered some pecan nuttiness and Asian spice notes, with super grippy tannins.Â
The Radoux barrel (from Cognac) provided tons of baking spices and vanilla notes.
While many in our group preferred the Heinrich American oak barrel, it was my least favorite.
This was a fabulous learning experience -- from understanding the proprietary nature of the cooperages in terms of where they source their wood, how they make the barrels and their toast regime to the very distinct flavors and tannins from each barrel.
One thing for sure -- Ron, Todd and Reagan have some great Merlot aging in those barrels. Will be great to see the final product -- whether itâs a single varietal Merlot or a blend -- later this year.
(Todd Crowell, owner Ron Yates, Reagan Sivadon)
This was the first time Ron Yates Winery has offered this barrel experience for guests. They will likely do it again later in the year so stay tuned!Â