Quality Cabernet and Merlot at Low End Prices

[Innkeeper]

Hi Richard and welcome to the Wine Board. Right now Washington State is getting some excellent press as well they should for their Cabs. See the Northwest thread on this board for some recent news, as well as this story that broke yesterday: http://www.nytimes.com/2001/03/21/living/21WINE.html . Am trying to glom onto some of them in your price range as well.

For merlot, have been getting into those from extreme Northeast Italy lately. Specifically those from Collio and Collio Friuli. Am finding these excellent as a group, i.e. haven't found a bad one yet. The reason is this region gives merlot added dimensions. It needs this as the grape is rather singular in dimension. That is why Americans, Aussies, and Chilians load it up with oak. The age of the vines (over a hunderd years) and the terroir in Collio are what add the extra dimensions there.

Prices of excellent Washington State Cabernet Sauvignon and Collio (Friuli) Merlot can be found in the $15-$20 range. The Meridan and Beringer Cabs are good jouneyman wines.



[This message has been edited by Innkeeper (edited 03-27-2001).]