Barrel Aging

Make Great Wine Even Better!

Oak barrel aging can improve the quality of your wine. Oak’s delicate vanilla scent and complex toastiness enhances the fruit flavours and aromas already present. In addition, even a short time in a barrel can mature a wine faster than a longer period of time in a regular carboy. Oak barrel aging can turn an average wine into a prizewinner and is often a common denominator in wines that reach beyond the ordinary.

Commonly, only full-bodied red wines and richly flavoured whites (such as Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc) are used for Barrel Aging. To a red, it gives a softness and complexity that adds great character. For some whites, it can increase aromatic qualities that make the wine truly special. The natural process of evaporation allows the wine to concentrate its flavor and aroma. As well, small amounts of oxygen are allowed to pass through the barrel and acts as a softening agent upon the tannins of the wine.

Just Fine Wine offers select varieties for Barrel Aging, available systematically throughout the year ~ typically every two to three months. The program is open to anyone and is especially popular with true wine lovers. The wines selected for the program are of the top caliber and the process is an additional $50 per batch (23 Litres). Availability is limited and space fills up quickly, so be sure to inquire about reserving yours today.

Now Taking Reservations For:

  • LE25 Blanc de Noir – Languedoc, France (Only 2 Remaining!)
    • A truly distinctive white wine made from black Grenache grapes with minimal skin contact during pressing. Blanc de Noir, meaning ‘white from black’, leans toward white peach, and pink grapefruit flavours with subtle spice. Herbaceous notes, soft echoes of red apple and strawberry, and crisp acidity finish out this showpiece.
  • LE25 Pacific Quartet Red w/Grape Skins (SOLD OUT!)
    • Four varietals from four countries: Chilean Carménère, Australian Shiraz, California Cabernet Sauvignon, and New Zealand Merlot create a delectably bold, well-structured blend. Aromas of blackberry, cherry, and spice lead to a rich palate layered with blackcurrant, plum, and dark chocolate. Firm tannins and toasty oak deliver a long, satisfying finish.
  • Winexpert Private Reserve Napa Valley Stag’s Leap District Merlot w/Grape Skins
    • Light warm oak accentuates a savoury, spicy aroma with a soft, supple and fruity palate of juicy plums and red berries. Smooth tannins and rich, round flavour provides a lush, polished texture as well as an elegant lingering finish. Harvested from the highly regarded Stag’s Leap District on the valley’s east bench, this Merlot is dry and heavy-bodied. Stag’s Leap Merlot often retails for $40+ per bottle in liquor and wine stores.
  • Winexpert Private Reserve INFUSION (Whisky Oak Steeped Cabernet Zinfandel Syrah) w/Grape Skins (2nd Barrel Added!)
    • Cab Syrah (Shiraz) blends are common, but the addition of Zinfandel is a golden state creation. These popular varietals thrive in Lodi, which tends to grow softer, more fruit-forward reds. Cab brings its signature black currant flavours, ample acid and tannin. Zinfandel adds jammy berries, with Syrah contributing plum and pepper. Together they make a bold wine with abundant berry flavours and rich tannin, making it an ideal base for something a little extra. Being steeped in whisky oak is that little extra. Juice for this limited release was pre-oaked in-house, steeping for several months with Niagara whisky oak chips. During this 6-month steep, the juice absorbs flavours and tannin from the whisky oak, adding roundness to the body, elevating tannin, and infusing it with nuanced sweet spice, brown sugar, and vanilla character. These whisky-influenced sweet notes round out a bold wine rich with flavours of blackcurrant, jammy wildberry and plum, underlaid with mocha, spice, and smoky toasted notes.
  • Winexpert Private Reserve Ranch 11 Cabernet Sauvignon w/Grape Skins
    • The King of red wine grapes. Toasted oak and well integrated tannins, pepper and baking spice combine to enhance trademark blackcurrant and dark cherry flavours. Big, rich fruit flavour and complex structure dazzle from first aroma to long, refined finish.
  • Winexpert Reserve Italian Luna Rossa
    • Bold, robust and intense: Winexpert’s ‘Big Red’ is our largest, most full-bodied red wine. A dark, inviting colour and rich, bold oak-enchanced aromas suggest at what is to come: an abundance of mouth-filling, chewy flavours of ripe black cherry, blackberry and plums. Luna Rossa is complex, with rich layers of fruit and solid supporting tannins, capped by a long toasty oak finish. A powerful wine matching startling flavours and aromas with elegance and finesse.

We are always taking suggestions for wines to go into the oak barrels – or if you have a group that wants to get a certain style or varietal started. If you have any requests, please let us know.

Contact Just Fine Wine today to reserve yours.