Merlot 101

What's your recommendation for a good bottle of red wine (cab, zin, merlot, pinot or blend) for $10 or less?

Public Comments

1. If you have access to Argentinian wine, any cabernet sauvignon or malbec from mendoza will do. I specially enjoy "Los Cardos" Malbec, from Doña Paula Winery, in Mendoza, Argentina. It goes from US$ 6 and up. This wine of great varietal character stands out for its elegance and complex aromatic expression, reflecting the typical characteristics of an Argentine Malbec wine. On the nose it opens with notes of red berries and plum, intermixed with agreeable notes of spice, black pepper, mint and graphite. On the palate the wine is soft and fresh, full-bodied and very delightful, which reflects the slow maturity of the grapes and a careful management of the winemaking Its an amazing wine! Another extraordinary wine, US$ 8, is Colonia de las Liebres, Bonarda, from Mendoza, Argentina. Colonia Las Liebres Bonarda is a new release made from the little-known Bonarda grape. Considering the wine's price, the 92-point rating it received from Wine & Spirits for its inaugural 2003 vintage is astounding: "From 30-year-old vines in Mendoza, this is a massive red with a roasted black fruit aroma, firm, tense tannins and vibrant acidity. A hedonistic pleasure, and a steal for the price." Colonia Las Liebres Bonarda is ink red-black, almost opaque, with a nose of blackberries, cassis and spice. Full-bodied with firm tannins, it offers rich flavors of blackberry, black currant, chocolate and spice. It is unoaked and unfiltered. Approachable now, this wine will gain in complexity and drop some tannins with short-term cellaring. The finish is long and mouth-coating.
2. The best zinfindel I've found for less than $10 is Cline. They also make a good "Ancient Vines" zin for about $15 for special times.