Merlot

[Noclue]

I am looking to get my Dad a Birthday present. I know that he likes red wine mostly merlot. He just tried Port and is not liking it that much. He does not like Sheraz or chardoney. He tends to like the wines from Australia. I know that he never spends more then $10 for a bottle of wine so I was hoping to get something a little more pricey that he would not buy for himself.

Could anyone make a suggestion from what I have offered or is it to hard to tell what he would like?

[Innkeeper]

Hi Clue, and welcome to the Wine Board. Australia is better know for its cabernet sauvignon that its merlot. There are a lot of approachable cabs in the $10-$15 range. One I gushed over recently was 2001 Nugan Family, Third Generation, Cabernet Sauvignon, South Eastern Australia ($11.99).

[wondersofwine]

The best (and one of the few) Merlots I've had from Australia was Irvine Merlot. It is quite pricy (probably $40-$50) and may not be easily located. Washington State has some nice merlots and you might look there. Bucko may be able to recommend some as he reviews west coast wines. I liked the Snoqualmie which is quite reasonably price but also hard to locate in some parts of the country.