Cheap Good Merlot

A good wine to pair with a non-fancy BBQ dinner of greasy cheeseburgers and sausages.

Vintage: 2009
Type: Red
Variety: Merlot
Region: Central Coast, California

A smooth medium bodied merlot, with dark cherry notes and a dry finish.

Vintage: 2008
Type: Red
Variety: Merlot
Region: Lodi, California
Price: $13.99

A wonderful wine to enjoy with grilled red meats, Mill Creek’s Dry Creek Valley Merlot has smooth blackberry and tart cherry flavors combined with spice and a hint of vanilla.

Winery: Mill Creek
Vintage: 2002
Type: Red
Variety: Merlot
Region: Sonoma, California
Ratings: Wine Messenger: 93 points
Price: $18.00

Ever since the movie Sideways, the many great and inexpensive wines of Southern California have become very highly regarded. And although the movie may imply that you should avoid Merlot, that is anything but the case! The Kinderwood ’03 is a great dry red wine, boasting rich flavors of current and just a touch of oak. Pair it with hamburger, steak, or even pizza. Enjoy until 2009.

Winery: Kinderwood Winery
Vintage: 2003
Type: Merlot
Region: Paso Robles, California
Ratings: THE WINE MESSENGER: 91 points
Price: $9.75

Deep flavors of dark cherry and red plums bring this velvety Chilean Merlot to life. And with a lasting peppery finish that pairs well with many meats and fine cheese, you won’t want to miss out on this Wine Enthusiast Editor’s Choice!

Winery: Vina Concha y Toro
Vintage: 2004
Type: Merlot
Region: Puemo, Chile
Ratings: WINE ENTHUSIAST: 90 points
Price: $18.29

The ’03 Columbia Crest Grand Estates Merlot is supple, ripe, and seductive, a plush wine with gorgeous plum, blackberry, currant, and hints of exotic spice; gorgeous finish.

Winery: Columbia Crest Winery
Vintage: 2003
Type: Merlot
Region: Columbia Valley, WA, USA
Ratings: Wine Spectator: 90 points
Price: $8.99