My first kit. This is an Australian Cabernet.

OG was 1.090.

FG was 0.992

Making the ABV 12.94%

This kit is heavily Oaked (5 bags).

It is now officially wine with the addition of the yeast

It was racked to a secondary after the first week. Since it hit the FG in the primary there was little activity in the secondary.

I did a final racking and bulk aged it for two months.

Bottled today. Things went smoothly. I tasted the left overs. It was young, but strong. I am looking forward to see how it ages.

Siphoned to the bottling bucket to prepare for bottling

Bottles all cleaned and sanitized

Final SG check. Looks like it actually went up a bit from the last check.

The final bottled product just need time to age

Had just a little left over that didn't make it into a bottle. Tasted ok for that young. Has to mellow a lot though. Had quite a kick.

The wine was originally made for my girlfriend who's favorite wine is southern hemisphere Cabernet's (I really like some of the as well). My original label idea was about both of us

But after she dumped me a second label was created

There were only 10 of the 2.0 labels created because I enjoyed the time with her and don't blame her for leaving even though I wish we were still together

I tried the first bottle tonight to see how it was coming along. It was ok when I bottled it, but you could tell it was young. I wasn't sure how it was going to turn out being my first batch and did everything wrong. I still have a lot to learn, but for a six month old Cab - it turned out really well. There is some sediment in the bottles because I didn't filter, but with all the other mistakes I now know not to do - I am very pleased.

Some newbie mistakes were made that I have learned from and the kit was not top of the line like I have been making lately. The ones I have made since include grape skins to provide extra richness and depth. I look forward to letting this age more and the other kits I have in the queue.