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:

    • Winexpert Reserve Australian Chardonnay (ONLY 2 LEFT!)
      • Leave it to the Aussies to take the noble French grape and turn it into the wine equivalent of a full-on party. The Chardonnays of Australia continue to wow wine drinkers around the world with their unabashed celebration of opulent fruit and vanilla-oak, full-bodied flavour. Winexpert Reserve Australian Chardonnay is no exception. Tasting notes of ripe pineapple, mango and vanilla with a full, supple, creamy texture. This golden wine delivers from start to clean, lingering finish. Ideal with chicken, fish, salads and cream-sauce pastas.
    • Winexpert LE22 French Viognier Roussanne Marsanne (ONLY 1 LEFT!)
      • A beautiful blend composed of the only three white wine grapes permitted to be grown in the Northern Rhone. It draws you in with inviting aromas of stone fruit, honeysuckle, and soft herbal notes.  The palate is rich with expressive peach, apricot, and Meyer lemon flavours, just hinting at honeysuckle and brioche. This textured wine leans to the fuller side, but stays smooth and fresh with elegant balance.
    • Winexpert LE22 Italian Aglianico Barbera w/Grape Skins (ONLY 1 LEFT!)
      • Aglianico is considered one of the three greatest Italian varietals, known to produce refined, complex wines with firm tannin. Its richness and structure make it popular for blending. In contrast, Barbera is popular for producing fruity wines with low tannin and high acidity. The combination of these two Italian varietals creates a balanced blend with big personality. Dominant flavours of black cherry, pepper spice, blackberry and plum are enhanced with licorice, dried herbs, and a light mineral note. This is a wine to sit back, sip, and savour.
    • Vineco Global Passport 2022 Australian Bourbon Chardonnay (ONLY 1 LEFT!)
      • Diving into the iconic white wines of Australia, this blend of Chardonnay and Semillon has been taken a step further with the addition of bourbon oak. The wine is full bodied with notes of grilled peach, baked pear and tropical citrus. The bourbon oak delivers a twist of caramel, vanilla bean and subtle baking spice. A rich and textured mouthfeel is balanced with fresh acidity and a long lingering finish. A lovely sipper with complex flavours and unique profile that is sure to excite.
    • Winexpert Private Reserve Napa Valley Stag’s Leap 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. Our best selling red wine on an annual basis, Stag’s Leap Merlot often retails for $40+ per bottle in liquor and wine stores.
      • Soft and quick to mature, this is the perennially popular French red wine blend that continues to keep them coming back with its smooth, easy charms. A Winexpert specialty blending of a host of grape varieties in the style of Châteauneuf-du-Pape, each contributing to the layers of aroma and flavours such as that make this so special. Raspberry, white pepper and licorice notes contribute to making this wine complex and full of character, yet supple and easy drinking. A popular style year-round and one we haven’t aged in the barrels for a long time.
    • Limited Release Winexpert Private Reserve Infusion (Whisky Barrel Steeped Cab Sauv/Zinfandel/Syrah)
      • INFUSION combines California’s two favourite red varietals, Cab Sauv and Zinfandel, with Syrah, an increasingly popular variety in the state. Combined, the three make a bold wine with an abundance of rich red and dark berry flavours, and serious tannin. But it’s the story behind the name INFUSION that really makes this wine unique.

        In a Winexpert first, juice for this limited release was pre-oaked in-house, steeping for several months with whisky oak chips specially sourced from Wayne Gretzky Estates Winery and Distillery. This pre-oaking adds roundness to the body, elevates tannin, and infuses the juice with nuanced sweet spice and vanilla character, making this wine a truly “great one”.

     

    Contact Just Fine Wine today to reserve yours.