The balance makes room for all components without giving one more importance than the others. Imagine blending yellow and blue to make green. There are of course many shades of green, depending on the initial amount of primary colors used. The intensity refers to a concentration and the complexity describes the aromatic diversity found in wine. The term "length" is often used to describe the number of seconds during which your palate experiences a flavor. If the alcohol is too high and unbalanced, you will get a warm sensation in your mouth. There is length and intensity, but in this case, the wine is not complex nor balanced.
As you often read in my wine tasting notes, a good wine needs fruit, tannin, and acidity to be appealing and to age for a long time. Inside the bottle, there is a constant evolution with a micro-oxidation thru the cork. This phenomenon is also happening with screw-cap closure but at a much slower pace.
Going over its maturity could accentuate some of the worst characteristics of a wine. Winemakers should aim for the most balanced wines as possible to bottle.
I also want to briefly mention that the conditions of aging are also crucial. Too much heat could dry out the cork and create leakage. Cellars provide the ideal habitat for aging wine, as they are cool and free of vibration -- as well as damp and dark. If you do not have a wine cellar, you can try to replicate this environment by finding the coolest and darkest spot in your house. I know that many people may have to choose between room for their shoes or space for wine in their walk-in closets. What a dilemma!
I am pleased to say that our warehouse has upgraded its refrigeration system. We are constantly improving our resources to protect and favor the correct evolution of our bottles.
Enjoying wines by trial and error is always the best. That way, you grow to know yourself and your preferences over time. You might actually discover a new favorite flavor along the way.
