Need some help :-/

[special1]

Im going to visit my boyfriends family for the first time and i thought it would be a nice gift to bring a bottle of wine. After talking with my bf i know his family enjoys dry red wines to just sip at while relaxing... I have no clue what that means or even where to begin as to what type to buy. Any suggestions please? Im not much of a drinker in any type so this is foreign to me
I my price range is under $50. PLEASE HELP ME WITH SUGGESTIONS Thanks

[TheEngineer]

I'll give this a go but with 1000's of wines out there you can understand that whatever we pick might not be suited. However, not giving you any advice would be even less help.

Seeing that you are from CA, I'm going to provide a few easy to find CA/Napa Valley wines that will fit the $50 description. It's a big jump to assume that people in CA like CA wines but here is a go with a few suggestions.

2005 Joseph Phelps Cabernet Sauvignon
2005 Turnbull Cabernet Sauvignon
2005 Groth Cabernet Sauvignon
Provenance Cabernet Sauvignon
Sequoia Grove Cabernet Sauvignon.

Comfortably under $50 (say $25)

Clos du Val Cabernet Sauvignon
Provenance Merlot

The above should be pretty easy to find.

Also, depending on where you live, you can also go to a nice wine store and have their sales staff help you out. In NorCal, you can visit K&L Wine, The Wine Club, etc,.

Good luck!

[winoweenie]

Hi Special 1 and welcome to the board. Eng has given you some very solid choices. His suggestion to go to a reputable wine shop and get some 1st hand assistance is excellent. Good luck on your visit. WW

[zneward]

I used to live in Walnut Creek/ Concord Area (right by Napa) Peju has good stuff and a beautiful establishment if you ever go.