A dud or a deal?

[quijote]

In a store today I saw lots of 1999 Casillero del Diablo wines--Cab, Carmenere, Merlot, and Chard--on clearance sale for $5 per bottle. This is a fairly pricey store, so my impulse to purchase was checked by my suspicion that the wines might be Past It. I would think that the reds are good, if unremarkable, but didn't want to risk wasting the money. Any ideas? Perhaps I should just spend the $20-$25 on a really good bottle or two of something else?

[Drew]

The Cabs and Merlots of this "devilish" wine from Chile have always been approachable at low prices but have no experience with the '99 vintage. I did a quick Google search and no negatives popped up. Found out that only 30% of the Chardonnay was aged in oak with 70% in SS and many reviews stating how food friendly the wine was...would think that at $5 at least 1 is worth a risk try.

Drew

[This message has been edited by Drew (edited 11-14-2003).]

[Innkeeper]

All the reds should be fine, at that price.

[Thomas]

Get the Carmenere; at that price, it's worth trying the one wine in the lot that promises to be different from other New World offerings.

[quijote]

Good advice, y'all. Off I go for Carmenere...