blends

[offthechain]

I was introduced to a good wine last year called Opus One and on the past Wednesday a wine called Caine Five. They both carried a pretty high price and I was wondering if anyone may be familiar with these wines and if they knew any other wines with a similiar taste for less?

[winoweenie]

Hi OTC and welcome to the board. Both wines you like are Meritage Blends. Cabernet, Merlot, Cab Franc, Petite Verdot and Malbec which are the traditional varietals used in Bordeaux. Try a Beaulieu Vineyards " Tapestry ", Beringer " Alluvium ", or my favorite a Flora Springs " Trilogy ". None are cheap but compared to Opus will seem quite reasonable. WW

[Glass_A_Day]

Chateau St. Jean Cinq Capages
Frogs Leap
Justin Isosceles
Cloud View
Viader
David Arthur Elevation 1147

are some of my favorites

[Innkeeper]

Mount Palomar Meritage ($18). Love it!

[offthechain]

Thank you so much for your responses! I wrote all the names down and plan to try all. I am giving a small dinner party and I will buy at least 6 of the choices so that I can try them all.

[newsguy]

if you're looking for a very tasting blend, and at a bargain price ($12.99), check out my post under the best deals heading on the 2001 Hahn Central Coast Meritage. it compares with blends at 2 to 3 times the price.

http://www.wines.com/ubb2/Forum23/HTML/000206.html

[Jorog]

Some of these are lesser known but good values:

Cronin Concerto ('99 is very good) ~$22
Robert Craig Affinity ~$45
Estancia Meritage ~$28
St Clement Oroppas ~$33

Gives you a price range to chose from.