Howdy! Hope everybody is doing well. My wife is into chilean merlots right now, and I wonder if anybody had any good recommendations. Looking for something in the 10-20$ range. Thanks for your input!

WLC

I once thought i could fine a good Merlot, even if i paid more for it... but if she likes Merlot, i instead suggest she try some of the nicer Zinfindels in that price range... not the whites or blushes, I mean a REAL ZIN. Edgewood estates has a bottle for around 20 that is definitley worth the investment.

I'm not busting on her tastes... I just personally have given up on Merlots... they are just not as satisfying to me. They generally are one-dimensional (even the $$ ones) with a lot less character than most other red varietals.

"The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results."

I had one called Castilla Diablo or some such. It was at the grocery store for around $10. Wasn't too bad, from what I remember. However, I don't often drink Merlot so my opinion doesn't count for much.

"I usually read the obituaries first as there is always the happy chance that one of them will make my day."
-Dr. Richard Ames

kendall jackson has a chilean line. i forget what it's called. very reasonably priced

I lived in Chile in 1990 and being there really gave me a love for wine - especially reds. The merlot that Smokeman is referring to is called Casillero del Diablo which is made by Concha y Toro. It is very up and down - sometimes nice, sometimes not. Again, it is a $10 bottle of wine. If you are looking for a more expensive and better bottle, look at the following:
Casa Lapostolle 1995 "Cuvée Alexandre"
Arboleda 2001
I like the Cousino Macul, Undurraga and Errazuriz if you can find them.
There are also a number of great Malbecs and Cabernets worth trying from Argentina. Look for the Catena label and the good Navarro Correas. Hope this helps!
Andy

andy, you are correct; that's the one I was thinking of. At least I got the Diablo part right.

"I usually read the obituaries first as there is always the happy chance that one of them will make my day."
-Dr. Richard Ames

Concha y Toro's Casillero Del Diablo is horrible swill. At least, I've never had a decent one. I have had, however, some very fine Cabernet Sauvignon from Chile. One in particular worth the trouble to find is 120 Santa Rita. Nice wine for the price points you mentioned.

second that, Viper!

"The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results."

For a merlot budget that large I would not be looking to South America. There was a post a few weeks ago that discussed the good merlots.

Jerry