BK is very good in my opinion, I've tried a few from the top 3 selections:
http://www.winexpert.com/index.cfm/f...e/products.cfm
always got great results...
Louise)

"Mark Garwatoski" > wrote in message
.com...
> Thanks for your reply. I only got the Merlot kit because it is my fathers
> favorite wine. I plan to start another batch of wine of a white variety
and
> want to get the best kit to start with and then make any additions that
> people have found help the kit compete with store bought wines.
>
> Mark
>
>
> "Pinky" > wrote in message
> ...
> > Mark,
> >
> > I buy the Selection Limited edition reds from BK every year, which are
16
> > litre kits to make 23 litres (5 gals imp or 6 gals US) these kits in UK
> used
> > to be about £50 each but the price has now risen to £57 each. Last year
I
> > bought my first Selection Estate series red -- a Lodi Zinfandel Old
> Vines
> > red kit at £75 but I only started it in September and it is still
sitting
> > undisturbed, bulk aging so I can't comment.
> > In UK there is no other kit as yet available that is of the same quality
> (or
> > price range).
> > I make much less wine than I used to and make more kit wines -- space in
> my
> > small flat ( apartment) being the limiting factor. I have been making
the
> > Selection series reds for a fair few years now since they first became
> > available in UK.
> >
> > To be honest I have become increasingly critical of kit reds as time has
> > gone on. I am a type 2 diabetic ( dietary control only) and my
consumption
> > of wine has been savagely curtailed and perhaps that is why I am more
> > appreciative of the wine when I have my permitted occasional bottle.
> >
> > My white wine kits ( at about 1/2 the cost of the Selection red kits)
> > produce far superior wines which are recognisable as from within their
> > varietal grape type. In particular my Muscadet and Sauvignon Blanc are
> very
> > typical!
> >
> > The reds -- well as I said, I only have one bottle per week but I am
> > increasingly dissatisfied with the end results of a year bulk aging
before
> > bottling. My criticism is, as ever, that "cooked " taste and,
> increasingly,
> > a lack of character, bland, and lack of tannin. The wines are full of
> fruit
> > flavour but just not up the comparison with an inexpensive red bought
> from
> > a good supermarket wine section.
> > I have just sampled my first bottle of limited edition Syrah/Mouvedre
made
> > in Spring last year. The blurb on BK's back label states --"..... this
> > elegant red wine is rich and complex, showing strong tannins and earthy
> > character ....."
> > Well no it isn't! Fruity but totally lacking in "strong tannins" and
where
> > is that "earthy character". It was like drinking a tepid fruit soup that
> > needed the addition of chilli gin to bring out its flavours. I certainly
> > would not inflict it on any guest of mine. I have checked my records and
> > find that I may not have added extra tannin at the initial fermentation
> > stage. I started doing that with my Selection kits a couple of years ago
> to
> > try and improve the mouth of my wines and I perceive some benefit -- but
> it
> > does tend to be a hit and miss affair.
> > My criticism of kit reds is not confined to BK Selection , it is just
the
> > Selection kits are ( IMHO) the best available in UK. I think my best
> result
> > is BK Selection Rioja. One I did about 4 years ago is finished now but
> > after the second year in bottle was probably the best I have tasted but
> > still lacked that "finish"
> >
> > Sorry this has been so long a response. Perhaps, when a method of colour
> > extraction of red grapes is "invented" that does not involve "boiling"
> the
> > fruit, the reds will improve.
> >
> > I just wish I could get red wine grapes and/or fresh red grape juice in
> UK!
> >
> > Hope it helps.
> >
> >
> > --
> > Trevor A Panther
> > In South Yorkshire, England
> > Remove "PSANTISPAM" from my address line to reply.
> > All outgoing mail is scanned by Norton
> > Anti Virus for your protection too!
> > "Mark Garwatoski" > wrote in message
> > . com...
> > > Who makes the best kits, money not being a concern? I live in NC and
> fresh
> > > grape juice just isn't an easy option. They do grow grapes here but
they
> > are
> > > mostly either Muscadine or Scuppernong. More searching might lead to
> some
> > > option but right now kits are a good start.
> > > I started with a BK Select French Merlot. What others are considered
the
> > > best of the kits?
> > >
> > > Thanks,
> > > Mark
> > >
> > >
> >
> >
>
>