Inexpensive Napa-CA Bordeaux Blend

[Carl D]

We're putting together a blind tasting of several young (2008), Napa-made Bordeaux-blends. I expect the lineup to include Opus One, Joseph Phelps Insignia, Dominus Estates Dominus and Alpha Omega ERA.

We'd like to add another wine to the mix - a wildcard that's a similarly structured wine, also from CA (preferably Napa) but at a much lower price point than the big reds above.

Any suggestions for an inexpensive selection that can run with the big boys and maybe produce some surprises in the tasting?

[Tom D.]

The Raymond Reserve cab (around $20) usually punches above its weight class, although I have not specifically tasted the 2008.

If you want something cheaper, the Louis Martini cab (around $13) sometimes surprises also, although it is definitely a step down.

These are a couple I like to grab when can I find nothing else on a cheap restaurant/bar wine list. But I couldn't swear how well either would show in the kind of company you're talking about.

[Eric Ifune]

Buehler makes some nice inexpensive stuff. Beringer's Knights Valley used to be a pretty good value, but the prices have increased lately. Franciscan is another possiblity.

[Carl D]

Buehler makes some nice inexpensive stuff. Beringer's Knights Valley used to be a pretty good value, but the prices have increased lately. Franciscan is another possiblity.

The Beringer Knights Valley Meritage looks like it might be a good fit - at least from a varietal standpoint. Whether it can stand with those big reds is another question, but it'd be interesting to find out! Nothing like having a 10X price range in the mix to keep it interesting...

[Roy Hersh]

I like Eric's suggestion of Franciscan. Always solid QPR juice, and in recent years, they finally got back to "restraint" with their oak regimen.

[Eric Menchen]

No expert here, but I like the Franciscan too.