Hello all, I am new to this forum and have been making wine from a kit now for 3 years. The first 2 years were a real learning process and I wasn't overly happy with my results. I made a merlot/cab blend the first year and a merlot/shiraz and chianti last year, all kits from Vinafera. I think my lack of knowledge to the process and mediocre wine kits made for a not-so-great product.This year I have a Grenache/shiraz/mourverde blend from Winexpert going. I'm aging it in an oak barrel I bought in June and so far it tastes pretty good, It's been in the barrel for a month now after the initial steps were taken to get it to bottling. I'm reading that although aging in a barrel can be a great enhancer to the process, you have to be discreet with the amount of time you leave it in the barrel before bottling. It will be 4 weeks next Monday. My question is should I bottle it after the one month period, next week, or give it some more time? So far the oakiness is not overpowering and I'm liking the added flavor. But I don't want to cross the line and mess up a good thing either. Any suggestions will be appreciated. Steveb3