Just What The Dr. Ordered: A Great $6 Red!

Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls, it’s show time! It’s time to pack up the mini-van and head down to Trader Joes to load up on a case of one of the better super value (less than $8) red wines I have tasted in a long time.

Don’t let the funny name or the wacky bottle fool you – Dr. Jebediah Drinkwell’s 2007 Meritage is no snake oil filled elixir parading as a California red. This stuff is the real deal and for around six bucks a bottle, it should please just about everyone on your wine list.

Drinkwell’s 2007 vintage is one of a variety of labels bottled today by its parent producer, Central Coast Wine Warehouse, which has a number of well reviewed value wines hailing from the Paso Robles region of California. The 2007 Meritage is an interesting blend of Cabernet Franc (60%), Merlot (27%), Cabernet Sauvignon (11%), Malbec (1%) and Petit Verdot (1%).

Straight from the bottle the lightly fruit flavored meritage offered a well balanced dryness on the backend that mellowed nicely as we poured the second glass. Dark cherry and light chocolate flavors filled the glass with a bit of a peppery kick added for intrigue. Interestingly, the next day, this wine held its own and was still an enjoyable glass of wine at around $1.5 a glass.

There are surely better tasting value reds available on the market today for under $15, but there are few I have found for less than half that price as well balanced as Drinkwell’s. This is an easy drinking red without any surprises that will surely be a crowd pleaser for your next large dinner party or spring BBQ. For between 5-$6, you can’t go wrong. Chill slightly and allow to breathe for 5-10 minutes and I think you too will be surprised by what Dr. Drinkwell has to offer.

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