a little advise, on reds

[mccoy_b]

hello all, let me begin by saying I have enjoyed reading your posts and have picked up quite a bit of info from them. Thanks.
Here is my situation. I have been enjoying wine for a little while now and know very little about it. I tend to stick with Merlots from US West Coast (Columbia Crest, Kendall-Jackson). All was fine until a friend brought over a nice Bourdeaux. I was blown away. Since then I have been trying other wines from the Bourdeaux region with hit and miss results. Most of the hits have been expensive, but even so price doesn't guarantee satisfaction as I have learned. Now to the point. I am finding my old standard US West Coast wine (Columbia Crest) to have a little too much bite. I would appreciate some suggestions on smoother affordable wines California, French, or other. Thanks.

[This message has been edited by mccoy_b (edited 08-14-2001).]