Is this considered a good one??

[wondersofwine]

Willp58,
Do you have a wine shop in your area--where wine is the only beverage sold--not whiskey and vodka, etc.? The sales staff might be able to help you if they are more familiar with the wines. One Italian blended wine I really like that is not TOO expensive is Ciacci Picolomini Ateo--a blend of Sangiovese grapes (about 60-70%) with 30-40% Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. It has been highly rated (the 1999 vintage rated 92 points on a 100-pt. scale) by Wine Advocate, but I am going by my own attraction to the wine, because I liked it before I knew about the rating points. Ateo sells for a range of $20 to $29 but possibly you could talk the shop manager into opening a bottle for tasting before you purchase (maybe on a busy Saturday where the tasting might encourage other customers to buy the wine as well). It may or may not be to your taste. Or you might try a Beaujolais Cru. Fleurie is one that is fruity and fragrant and usually fairly approachable at two or three years. Look for 2001 vintage. This should also be reasonably priced (many of the Beaujolais Cru wines--ten particularly highly regarded communes or towns within the Beaujolais region--sell for under $20). The Beaujolais Cru are generally considered to be good, sound wines if not great or earth-shaking.

[This message has been edited by wondersofwine (edited 03-23-2004).]