This tour starts in California, moves to Bordeaux and finishes down under, featuring Merlot and both Cabernets.
Redwood Creek, California, Merlot 2009 This is an easy-drinking quaffer, quite light, fruity and hinting at a bit of structure. Winemaker Cal Dennison. Vinted and bottled by Frei Bros. Vineyards in Modesto 13.5% $7.99 suggested US retail, a media sample. Redwood Creek
Chateau du Lort, Bordeaux 2006 This expression of today’s theme is also light-bodied with additional acidity, a touch of tannin and a complementary sense of earthiness. The grapes fielded in this wine include the three and the property is planted to 65% Merlot, 26% Cabernet Sauvignon and 9% Cabernet Franc. Mis en bouteille au chateau par la famille Castel a Yvrac in the Gironde 13% $13 suggested retail in the United States, a media sample Chateau du Lort
Robert Oatley, Mudgee, Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot 2007 The last wine of this 
flight offers more flesh and ripe fruit while still strutting food-friendly acidity with a sense of rubber.
51% of the grapes are in the making of this wine are Cabernet Sauvignon. They were sourced from Mudgee, a GI that often stands in the shadow of its more famous Hunter Valley cousin. Nonetheless, distinctive wines are created from the grapes grown in the region, from local wineries and their colleagues in the Hunter.
Produced and bottled under a screwcap closure in Mudgee, New South Wales 13% prices in the United States range from $14 to $27 a media sample Robert Oatley