Merlot 101

Can anyone recommend a good Merlot?

I"m new to drinking wine... I'm looking for a tasty one in the $15 - $30 range, but I don't know where to start. Help would be appreciated.

Public Comments

1. i like the one from austraila but i forget who the name but it is very grape flavored way i like it or italy brand
2. I like Black Opal. It runs about $10 and it's very good.
3. Coppola makes a good one (although i push for the claret)
4. The best time to "try" wine, is at a resturaunt. While ordering your dinner ask the server to recommend a good wine with that. After awhile you'll notice how a good wine with the right food really brings out the taste even more... if you are just going to set around and drink without food, just go with a cheap wine... Reunite is a low cost, great taste brand name, but I suggest just trying all sorts.
5. We like Kenwood Yulapa Merlot. Nice and mellow.
6. Atalon Napa Merlot 2001 =) Excellent and priced around $30.
7. To quote my favorite wine authority, "I'm not drinking any $%#@ing merlot."
8. Clos Du Bois Merlot from Sonoma County is very good and generally under $20.
9. Michel-Schlumberger in Healdsburg, CA has an excellent Merlot and if I remember rightly it's under $30.
10. I just finished a bottle of " little black dress" merlot and it was half bad, and was just under $10