6-Gallon Cabernet Sauvignon Kit
Cabernet Sauvignon kits demand a bit more patience than Merlot kits — the structured tannin and oak character from the kit's added chips need time to integrate. Premium kits (16-18L) make a noticeably more concentrated wine than the cheap 10L versions. Expect blackcurrant, cedar, and vanilla. Plan a year from pitch to peak.
Ingredients
| 1 kit (16-18L) | Cabernet Sauvignon juice concentrate kit |
| 6 L | Water (top up) |
| 5 g | Wine yeast (kit yeast or RC212) |
| 1 kit packet | Oak chips/dust (often included in kit) |
| 0.6 g | Potassium metabisulfite |
| 1 g | Potassium sorbate |
Equipment
- 6-gallon primary fermenter
- Glass carboy
- Airlock
- Hydrometer
- Auto-siphon
Steps
- Day 0
Mix must
Pour kit into primary, top with water, sprinkle yeast.
- Day 0-7
Primary
Cover; ferment at 70-75°F until SG drops below 1.020.
- Day 7
Rack to carboy
Siphon to glass carboy with oak chips packet (if included). Fit airlock.
- Day 7-21
Secondary
Ferment to dryness (SG ~0.992-0.996).
- Day 21
Stabilize
Add k-meta + sorbate; degas thoroughly with stirring or vacuum.
- Day 21-90
Bulk age
Add fining if included. Cabernet kits benefit from longer aging — go 60+ days in bulk.
- Day 90
Bottle
Bottle and lay flat. Wait 90+ days before drinking; improves dramatically over a year.