The Best Inexpensive Wines Available Now

Estancia Merlot is excellent. The previously mentioned Lindeman's Cabernet is a good choice. Lots of good values among Australian and Chilean reds.

"Two Buck Chuck", or Charles Shaw Cabernet Sauvignon, is swill, IMHO, and not even fit for cooking, although there are thousands of Southern Californians who swear by it.

Galeriehughie..... yes, Riedels can do that, can't they?! I mean, "expose" a poor wine. I don't pretend that my Spiegelaus are as good, but they come close. It's amazing how much better a good wine is with the right glasses. After all, a lot of "taste" is actually sense of smell.

I'd like to talk about 1st growths with you Galeriehughie, but this is an "inexpensive wine" thread. So, yesterday I picked up a couple of bottles of a Spanish red: 2001 Las Rocas de San Alejandro(Vinas Viejas Garnacha). This cost me $8.99 each and is amazing! If you're a grenache fan (or if you like Chateauneuf-du-Pape), this one's for you. It got better by the hour. I agree with Robert Parker (finally!) on this one... he gave it 93 pts. I don't know what the 2002 is like, but the 2001 is great, and will improve over the next 5-10yrs.

To: Cpdunn99
The Riedel knock-offs that I purchased at Fortunoff's are Zwiesel Glas. It's imprinted in tiny letters on the base. I think the model is called "Fitzgerald".

Thanks, Theduke! I'll see if I can find them in the Chicago area.

Hogue Cellars Late Harvest Reisling. The 1999 and 2002 are both outstanding wines for the price. Some of my favorite Reisling, and I've had some good ones at 4x the price. Can be had for $10-14, depending on location. I have to special order here in PA, but have a shop to buy the 2002 at when I'm on Cape Cod, so I always stock up. ;)