What Is Your Favorite Merlot $10 - $20 Bottle

Right now in my wine rack I have a few reds that are inexpensive and very drinkable. I assume by Merlot you're going for something lighter than a Cab, and not too feisty, yes? You could serve any of these at a nice dinner and not be embarrassed. (Keep in mind that blind taste tests have shown that very inexpensive bottles can often stand up to very expensive bottles, with nobody being the wiser if they're decanted ;)...

Bodega Norton Reserva Malbec 2010 (you can get it at Costco, actually! For ~$12ish a bottle) - This is in Wine Spectator's top 100 wines for 2010, and has a 90 score, so it's a serious bottle of wine for not a lot of money. And since Malbec is practically the South American version of Merlot, you can hardly go wrong with this bottle.

Tobin James "Ballistic" Zinfandel 2010 ($10 a bottle; their list price is higher, but you can get it for $10 everywhere) - Tobin James also makes a Merlot, but I like their Zin better. Nice, berry undertones, fairly complex. Anyone who loves Central CA Coast wines will go nuts for this one. ;)

Cupcake Wineries "Red Velvet" 2011 (under $10 a bottle) - it's a blend with Zin, Merlot, and a little Cab/Petite Syrah? Very easy to drink; pleasant and not too forward.

I like Merlot too but discovered Bella Sera Pino Noir and it's wonderful! It's 16 dollars for one of those big bottles and its so smooth and fruity. Frontera also makes a good Merlot but I think I like the Bella Sera the best.

We like Sterling Vinyards Merlot and Chardonney. They have several grades from about $12-$50 a bottle. The one I purchase most is about $15 a bottle.

Other good brands we've enjoyed are:
Kendall Jackson, 14 Hands and Blackstone.

Enjoy!

To be honest, one of my favorite wines (red) is the Concha y Torro (sp?) magnum bottle of the Cabernet Sauvignon/Merlot blend... it is nicely full-bodied, & appeals to many people who like either one or the other. Very affordable, & 1.5L bottles...

In fact, it is so affordable, I recommend you run out to the store for a bottle tonight, try it & I'm sure you will love it!!

Sutter homme makes an nice (inexpensive) merlot...

I am not a fan of merlots myself (I prefer a zinfandel)...

I suggest get one for the guests...and YOU stick to a white you like!

I like Woodbridge or Wolf Blass.

Marques de caceres ($20ish) for something more higher end, The Naked Grape Pinot Noir for a $7 cheapo that's actually pretty tasty (that's my go-to nightly wine). BV also makes a decent pinot noir.

I'd suggest a pinot noir if you think the people might not be big wine drinkers, it tends to be a bit lighter than merlot and it drinks easier, but it's still red and it's pretty hard to find a BAD bottle of pinot noir, even when going cheap. It's just the nature of the grape.

Someone mentioned Cupcake's red velvet, that's not bad, but it is really sweet. I'm not a huge fan.

Someone else mentioned Kendall Jackson and they're a favorite of mine, though I usually prefer their riesling.

There is a wine that is a red blend - cabernet and tempranillo. It is called Infinite from the Torres winery. It is really really good and it's $8 per bottle in my store! If you can find it, buy it.

I know you are thinking "how good can it be, it's $8". But my husband and I love red wine, we've spent vacations in wine country in California and have tasted a LOT of wine, almost always reds. This wine is really good.

Here is a web review of it, which I include mostly because it has a picture of the bottle, so it's easier for you to find on the shelf: http://www.nataliemaclean.com/winepicks/wine/miguel-torre...

I like 14 Hands Merlot...give it a try!!!!

Franciscan. It's closer to $20, but I think you can get away with a cheap white easier than a cheap red. For a special occasion like this, I would spend a little extra. However, it depends on your guests. If they are not red wine drinkers maybe it's not worth spending the extra money. In that case I would recommend Blackstone. It's closer to $10 and decent for the price. These are both brands you can easily find in almost any store.

Switch gears-serve a Pinot Noir-have you tried "Angeline"?

Congratulations and Cheers!

Wild Vines Blackberry Merlot - except i think it's more like $3-$4 per bottle - it's my absolute favorite.

Certainly not a somellier, but we enjoy "cheap red wine" It comes with a butcher paper label and block black print. It's gotten favorable reviews in our local press.

You might want to pour it into a carafe, as it doesn't make the best presentation unless of course all your guests are hipsters.

best to you and yours,
F. B.

Just be sure to open the bottle and let in breathe for 20+ minutes before you serve it. Every red tastes better this way. Have a great party.

Menage a Trois, Blended red - $8 at Costco or less - my favorite and I love a good merlot

Traders Joes Black Mountain, I like all the Black Mountain brand wines for a surprising 6.99.

Fetzer and Turning Leaf. About $15 for a large bottle.