Red Blend Wine between $10 and $25

Dark ruby-red in color, this wine opens with a fragrant blast of red berry and wild violets, expanding on the palate into nuances of damp earth, crushed raspberry and mocha. Notes of violets rejoin the chorus of fruit and soft tannins on the finish. While this can evolve gracefully for 2 to 3 years, it is eminently delicious to drink now.

Even if red wine is not your speed, give our Ménage à Trois Red a try. This wine exposes the fresh, ripe, jam-like fruit that is the calling card of California wine. Three saucy grapes make up the blend. Zinfandel adds a juicy character, Merlot mellows and Cabernet adds backbone. Forward, spicy and soft, this delicious dalliance makes the perfect trio.

Located at the base of the Simonsberg Mountains in South Africa's Paarl region, Glen Carlou's vineyards are influenced by the highly favorable weather pattern of the Cape, where the Indian and Atlantic Oceans meet. The Glen Carlou Winery has established an enviable international reputation for its multi-varietal Bordeaux grape blends. The full-flavored 2009 combines an appealing New World lushness of fruit with an enchanting Old World bouquet of floral, cedar and mineral. At the same time, Glen Carlou's wines are uniquely South African in their expression of the native terroir.

44% Shiraz, 31% Cabernet Sauvignon, 24% Merlot, 1% Petit-Verdot

Grand Vin de Glenelly is the signature red blend of the estate, the wine has a deep, dark, rich colour. The wine offers an elegant complex bouquet developing aromas of cassis, spicy plums with notes of toast in the background. The palate has a great intensity and concentration with fantastic freshness and fine elegant, but well structured tannins.
(from the producer's website)