I'm a newbie and have some questions

[grahamalicious]

This summer I was treated to a vacation to New York (Albany and NYC) with my aunt (i'm 20 for another 2 months), and I discovered that I quite enjoy wine. I sampled many kinds with dinner, and for the last big dinner before we left we went to an outstanding italian restruant. With dinner we had a bottle of Melini Chianti (it was about $34, but i'm not sure what restraunts mark up over stores), which I REALLY enjoyed, much more than the other wines (although i noticed that I liked red more than white). All I have to go on is that besides the brand and type is that it was a dry tasting wine. I hoping somebody here can tell me more about what I enjoyed so much, either this specific wine or something comparable that I can look for when I turn the big 21 (and also something cheaper than $34 dollars, thats quite a lot of college sutdent groceries for that much money!).

My second question: as a souvinier, my aunt got me a bottle of 'eclipse' from heron hill winery (needed a new york wine to take home [img]http://www.wines.com/ubb2/smile.gif[/img] it was bout $20, if i remember). I've saving it until my aunt can come and visit me in my new apartment, but i'm wondering what i can expect it to taste like. The bottle says its 2000 table wine, and 36.45% Cabernet Franc, 33% Cabernet Sauvignon and 32.4% merlot, 12.5% alcohol by volume. i picked out before i had the chance to drink the chianti, because i liked red better than white and it has a damn cool bottle [img]http://www.wines.com/ubb2/smile.gif[/img]

if anyone can help me out, that would be wonderful

Thanks,
Graham

[Thomas]

Eclipse is a fine wine; its edges are nicely rounded,; its body is medium to full; its texture is velvety. At my shop it sells for $16.00. When you turn 21, come see me, before then, look up the Web site: is-wine.com