More Muscat and the first of the 2010 Cal blend bottled

We bottled 3 more gallons of the Muscat for next week's party, and Mike bottled 5 gallons of the fabulous 2010 Cal blend.  That gives us +3 cases of 2010 Muscat, 2 cases of 2009 Merlot, 2 cases of 2010 Cal blend, about 2 cases of various 2007 Sangiovese, Barbera blend, and Tutto Rosso, and a case of our 2006 Zin Alicante blend.  If that's not enough... begorah!

Bottling some of the 2010 Muscat

Titrate tested all three carboys of the Muscat - all between 17 and 20 ppm SO2.  What I'm bottling now for immediate use in this year's new wine party I'm leaving at the current level.  Bottled a couple of cases and need to decide whether to bottle another 5 gal, or the 3.

During the winter I thought this year's wine was more floral than last year's, but it no longer seems that way.  I do think it's a bit higher in acid and I like that: more hello.

Muscat labels, 2010

Tasting the pooptivo

With only 21 days left until the yearly new wine party, we haven't bottled any of the 2010 wines.  We don't really figure to bottle any of the primitivo, though we could use our topping gallon, but we do figure to use at least 8 or 10 gallons of the muscat.  Obviously it won't get to rest in the bottle at this point: do it now?  Days before the party?  At the party as a game? 

So, I tasted the primitivo this morning. 
Still some barnyard odors, but very much dissipated from the last tasting.  Lots of cherry.  After aerating it a bit there's no hint of the barnyard in the taste - cherry and caramel says my blunt instrument of a tongue - but a very noticeable smoothness and long, long finish that I don't think we've had in any of our other efforts in the last 5 years.  Suave.  Smoove.