Who Doesn't Love A Blended Deal?

Other than reading up on viticulture or wistfully browsing seed catalogs, the January cold and cabin fever affords the opportunity to sip and tell on a few fortuitous wine finds.

Its going quickly, but the 2006 Bleasdale Langhorn Crossing is something to snatch up by the case. Offered for around a mere ten bucks a bottle in many locales, this Cab/Malbec/Shiraz/Petit Verdot blend offers a superb drinkability with fruit and mineral notes that belie its oh-so-modest price tag. Plainly, for the price you won't find much better. Hate me, but I found it for $9 a bottle.

Another blend that offers a lot of wow for the buck is the Chilean 2006 Concha Y Toro Winemaker's Lot. It boasts a meld of Cab, Carmenere and Syrah grapes. Word is that Robert Parker gave it an 89. I'll call it a deal simply because its a wonderful wine for a reasonable price at less than ten bucks a bottle.

Oh and not to forget is the 2006 Jumilla Altos De La Hoya. It may be the hardest to find of the three but its far from third place in the trio. At less than $12 and made from Monastrell (Mouvedre) grapes, this Spanish gem speaks of bramble fruits and something deeper, like dark chocolate. Simply a really good wine at a great price.