Old Vine Zinfandel w/ Skins Wine Kit - Master Vintner® Sommelier Select®

This review started months ago when I tried to order a wine kit including a free Refractor meter. The web site blocked every attempt for this purchase and a phone call with the promise that the meter would be included also failed to produce the meter but did allow the purchase of the Zinfadel. Add to this is my disappointment with the wine judging contest ”not that my wine did poorly which id expected” but that the judges handwriting was illegible to the point First grade penmanship. and several judges didn't mark anything. "Sour grapes “Pun intended” Yes", as a result i cant see entering the contest again and also being very selective with future purchases from Midwest. The Zinfandel will go from the fermenter to the carboy next week and is doing fine.

The kit instructions said to put the grape skins in the muslin bag However the bag was missing I had to make my own. When I contacted you I was told that you recommended not using the bag , that’s the 1st time I’ve ever been told that, and I’ve been making wine for over 30 plus years

Great kit, just followed the directions except for letting the carboy bulk age for an extra 50 days. During the bottling, sneaked a taste and it was great, Now will attempt to leave it aging in the bottle for a year and taste again.

I Have No Problem With Midwest Supplies Great To Work With, I Purchased What I Thought Was A Premium Wine Kit. There Was no Bag For The Grape Skins, No Labels For The Bottles (Which Other Suppliers Supply With There Kits) And The Instruction Have A Lot Left To Be Desired. Midwest Supplies Supplied The Bags. Have Not Brewed The Kit Yet. Hope All Turns Out Well.

I made a pyment/mead with this kit - actually, more than one from one kit - so this likely isn't a review of the results of the kit per it's contents and instructions, but I thought I'd put it out there for others to consider.
Everything is as described for contents, etc. No bag for the skins, and I'm hoping they decided to add one as they're not very expensive (I bought this kit in 2020). I have reusable ones, so not a big deal for me. For those interested in experimenting...
I split this up into 2 batches and used D254 yeast in one, and D80 in the other. I also used my own oak instead of the chips - a blend of American, French, and Hungarian (all Med+ toast levels) - then blended the two batches. I had some other 'tweaks' post fermentation, and the end result was great. I also did the same with another Syrah kit, and blended some of it with this batch. That also turned out phenomenal.