Just made a french merlot with oak cubes and grape skins. Used to work at a brew on premise, boss was quite the expert, awards all over the store.
Ever try buying a high end kit, making yourself, adding a few extra tablespoons of sodium metabisuplhite and letting it sit for a year? I made 30 bottles for $130 taxes in.
You would think its a $50+ bottle of wine for a fraction of the price. Very few wines actually age well, and generally peak after a year. Most companies that sell 2 - 5 year old wines simply increased sulphite content to reduce oxidation, with very little improvement in the wine itself after a year.
Something to consider for the new year. Plus it's a ton of fun to make it at home and learn the process!!
However, these are quite good...
https://www.megalomaniacwine.com