Wine for wedding reception

[Newbie]

I need to choose red wine for a wedding reception. The dinner will be a choice of halibut, duck or roast beef. The white wine will be 1996 Sanford Sauvignon Blanc. The place offers a long list of reds and I'm looking for a recommendation-- some of the more affordable are: 1996 Oakville Ranch Zinfandel, 1996 Rosenblum White Cottage Zinfandel, 1997 Whitehall Lane Merlot, 1997 Willakenzie Estate Pinot Noir, 1997 Schug Pinot Noir, 1997 Calera Pinot Noir. Any of these choices good?

[winoweenie]

Newbie, Welcome to the board. These are all respectable reds. Most of your guests would probably enjoy the Whitehall Lane 97 Merlot.The Calera and Schug are both very nice Pinots. I like the 96 Oakville a lot personally. Have fun and Cogratulations! Winoweenie

[Randy Caparoso]

My extremely humble opinion? The WillaKenzie is the loveliest in the bunch -- smooth, silky, extremely food flexible and with a broader appeal for guests. The Schug is a little dull for me, and the Calera a tad rough.